ill 


y^i -nitre    AGRIC, 


THE 


SMALL  FRUIT  CU^LTURIST. 


BY 

ANDREW    S.    FULLER, 

AUTHOR  OF    "  THE  GBAPE    CTJLTTJBIST,"    "  PRACTICAL   FORESTRY,"    M  PROPAGATION 
OF  PLANTS,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


NEW.   REWRITTEN,   AND   ENLARGED    EDITION 

WITH   AN   APPENDIX. 

BEAUTIFULLY    ILLUSTRATED^ 


NEW  YORK: 

ORANGE   JUDD   COMPANY, 

1914 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  1887,  by  the 

O.  JUDD    CO., 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  ol  Congress,  at  Washington. 


FEINTED  IN   U.   S.   A. 


CLC 


PKEFACE    TO    REVISED    EDITION   AND 
APPENDIX. 


Twenty  years  ago  I  wrote  the  first  edition  of  this  work, 
scarcely  expecting  at  the  time  that  there  would  be  such 
a  demand  for  it  as  to  call  for  various  revisions  and 
additions  during  the  next  two  decades,  and  even  later, 
for  now  my  publishers  inform  me  that  the  last  edition  is 
entirely  exhausted,  and  a  new  one  must  immediately  go 
to  press  to  enable  them  to  promptly  fill  their  orders. 
The  large  number  of  copies  sold  of  former  editions  has 
not  only  been  gratifying  to  the  Author,  but  it  has 
shown  that  there  was  a  want  of  just  such  information  as 
it  con  tained.  It  was  a  pioneer  in  a  new  field,  and  Small 
Fruit  Culture  as  a  distinct  branch  of  horticulture  had 
never  been  recognized  when  the  first  edition  of  this  work 
was  published,  but  now  there  are  hundreds  of  establish- 
ments, and  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  in  which  the 
small  fruits  or  berries  are  a  specialty.  That  this  work 
has  had  some  influence  in  promoting  this  advance  in 
Small  Fruit  Culture,  the  Author  thinks  he  may  claim, 
without  fear  of  being  accused  of  conceit. 

That  my  efforts  in  seeking  to  disseminate  information 
in  regard  to  the  propagation  and  cultivation  of  berries 
have  been  well  received  by  my  co-laborers  in  this  field,  is 
shown  by  the  large  sale  and  constant  demand  for  this 
work,  and  that  they  hav«  also  been  appreciated  abroad  is 


IV      PREFACE  TO   REVISED   EDITION   AND   APPENDIX. 

indicated  by  the  fact  that  it  has  been  translated  into 
German,  and  a  very  handsome  edition  brought  out  by  a 
publisher  at  Weimar.  As  this  is  the  first  and  only  book 
written  by  an  American  on  horticulture,  which  has  been 
translated  and  published  in  Germany,  I  consider  that  it 
is  not  only  a  compliment  to  the  Author,  but  to  American 
horticulturists  generally. 

As  I  have  already  stated  in  former  editions  of  this  work, 
my  principal  object  in  experimenting  with  small  fruits 
was  to  obtain  information,  which  might  be  given  to  the 
public  with  an  assurance  that  it  would  encourage  their 
cultivation,  and  eventually  make  them  so  plentiful  and 
cheap  that  the  poor,  as  well  as  the  rich,  of  our  large  cities 
and  villages  might  be  able  to  indulge  in  fruits,  which  had 
long  been  considered  as  luxuries. 

That  the  good  work  may  go  forward  until  every 
garden  shall  yield  an  abundance  of  the  largest  and  best 
varieties,  and  every  table  in  the  land  be  constantly  sup- 
plied,  is  the  sincere  wish  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Ridgewood,  N.  J.,  March,  1887. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Introduction _ 6 

CHAPTER  I. 
Barberry 20 

CHAPTER  II. 
Strawberry _ 31 

CHAPTER  III. 
Raspberry... ..119 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Blackberry... 176 

CHAPTER  V. 
Dwarf  Cherry 191 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Currant 194 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Gooseberry.  __ .222 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Cornelian  Cherry _ .233 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Cranberry.. 239 

CHAPTER  X. 
Huckleberry .254 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Shepherdia,  or  Buffalo  Berry 259 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Preparation  for  Gathering  Fruit 263 

Appendix 279 

(5) 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  cultivation  of  the  Small  Fruits,  as  a  distinct  feature 
in  horticulture,  commenced  less  than  twenty-five  years 
ago.  It  is  true  we  had  raspberries,  strawberries,  currants, 
and  other  berries  in  our  gardens,  and  nurserymen  propa- 
gated the  plants  for  sale  to  a  very  limited  extent,  but  a 
catalogue  made  up  exclusively  of  the  Small  Fruits  was 
unknown,  and  I  may  add,  the  common  announcement  in 
catalogues  of  to-day,  "  Small  Fruits  a  Specialty,"  has 
come  into  use  within  the  past  twenty  years.  In  Europe 
there  were  a  few  men  who  made  a  specialty  of  the  Small 
Fruits,  some  choosing  the  Gooseberry,  others  the  Straw- 
berry, and  cultivating  these  on  a  limited  scale,  but  to 
take  the  entire  group  of  Small  Fruits,  and  make  these 
the  prominent  feature,  or  specialty,  was  as  rare  in  the  old 
world  as  in  the  new.  The  further  we  go  back  into  the 
history  of  horticulture,  the  less  do  we  find  in  regard  to 
the  berries,  and  even  two  centuries  ago  scarcely  any  of 
the  English  and  French  authors  give  anything  more  than 
a  passing  notice  of  some  wild  berries,  which  were  occa- 
sionally transplanted  into  the  garden.  The  family  supply 
of  these  fruits  was  drawn  from  the  fields  and  woods,  and 
while  the  apple,  pear,  plum,  and  other  larger  fruits  were 
attracting  attention,  as  they  had  done  from  the  earliest 
times,  the  Small  Fruits  remained  in  their  natural  and 
undeveloped  state. 

Early  in  the  present  century,  some  attempts  were  made 
in  England  to  improve  the  Strawberry,  and  these  being 
quite  successful,  a  new  interest  was  awakened  in  this 
fruit  among  the  horticulturists  of  the  old  world,  but  no 


lOTRODUCTIOH.  7 

great  progress  was  made  in  the  cultivation  of  the  different 
kinds  of  Small  Fruits  until  several  years  later. 

The  progress  of  fruit-culture  in  the  United  States  is 
probably  more  apparent  than  in  other  countries,  for  we 
have  only  to  go  back  to  a  period  within  the  memory  of 
horticulturists  still  living,  to  ascertain  nearly  every  fact  in 
regard  to  its  history.  Ask  any  of  our  older  horticulturists 
concerning  the  markets  of  forty  years  ago,  and  they  will 
tell  us  that  there  were  no  Hovey  or  Wilson  Strawberries 
offered  for  sale  in  those  days  ;  no  Cherry  or  White  Grape 
Currants  ;  no  New  Eochelle  or  Kittatinny  Blackberries  ; 
but  that  they  were  wholly  supplied  with  berries  from  the 
woods  and  uncultivated  fields.  , 

The  progress  we  have  made  in  Small  Fruit  Culture  dur- 
ing the  past  twenty  years  is  certainly  something  of  which 
our  horticulturists  may  well  feel  proud,  but  the  limits  in 
the  way  of  advancement  have  not  as  yet  been  reached, 
and  there  is  room  enough  for  those  who  may  wish  to  enter 
this  field  to  work  out  many  an  unsolved  problem. 

The  cause  of  our  advancement  is,  in  a  great  measure, 
due  to  the  dissemination  of  information  upon  the  subject 
through  the  horticultural  and  agricultural  press.  It  is 
by  reading  these  that  the  masses  have  learned  where  to 
obtain  the  plants  they  desire  and  how  to  cultivate  them, 
Thus,  by  having  a  medium  through  which  both  parties 
are  benefited,  trade  is  augmented  and  progress  made  more 
certain. 

The  originators  of  new  varieties  have  been  stimulated 
to  make  great  exertions,  because  of  the  high  prices  paid 
for  their  products  in  times  past,  but  it  is  quite  probable 
that  new  sorts  will  not  hereafter  command  so  much  at- 
tention as  they  have  in  years  gone  by,  at  least  it  will  not 
be  so  easy  to  obtain  high  prices  for  a  second-rate  article. 
What  may  be  termed  the  "  Small  Fruit  Craze  "  has  had 
its  day,  and  hereafter  it  will  be  only  the  really  valuable 
sorts — the  intrinsic  worth  of  which  has  become  fully 


8  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

ascertained  and  established,  that  will  be  in  demand. 
There  has  been  altogether  too  much  puffing  of  new  or 
supposed  to  be  new  sorts,  before  their  merits  or  identity 
had  become  fully  ascertained.  In  many  instances  varieties 
have  been  announced  as  something  wonderful,  and  en- 
dorsed by  scores  of  ministers,  doctors,  lawyers,  and  other 
prominent  gentlemen — neighbors  of  the  originators,  not 
one  of  whom  perhaps  ever  had  any  experience  in  fruit- 
culture,  or  could  tell  a  "Wilson"  Strawberry  from  a 
"Hovey"  or  a  "  Chas.  Downing."  Instances  of  this 
kind  of  worthless  endorsement  of  new  or  old  sorts,  are 
becoming  more  and  more  frequent  and  annoying  to  the 
horticulturist  and  the  public  at  large.  The  old  "  Belle  de 
Fontenay"  Easpberry  was  recently  brought  out  as  some- 
thing new  under  the  name  of  Amazon,  and  the  man  who 
claimed  to  have  produced  it,  procured  the  endorsement 
of  some  half  a  score  of  ministers  as  to  his  own  honesty, 
and  the  great  and  valuable  merits  of  his  bantling.  The 
said  ministers  may  be  very  good  men,  and  know  some- 
thing of  their  parishioner's  character,  and  still,  as  proved 
in  this  case,  know  very  little  about  Easpberries.  In  other 
instances  the  Mayor  of  a  city,  or  some  noted  politician, 
is  called  upon  to  endorse  the  statement  of  the  raiser  of  a 
new  variety,  while  there  are  plenty  of  good  horticulturists 
near  at  hand,  whose  word  in  such  cases  would  carry  some 
weight  among  fruit-growers  generally.  All  persons 
interested  in  fruit  growing  sbould  unite  in  condemning 
this  species  of  quackery  in  horticulture. 

The  facilities  for  disseminating  plants  of  all  kinds,  have 
largely  increased  during  the  past  few  years,  our  railroads 
having  penetrated  almost  every  part  of  the  country,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  affording  safe  and  rapid 
facilities  for  transmission  of  plants  to  the  most  distant 
localities.  Added  to  this,  the  Post-office  Department  per- 
mits the  sending  of  plants  through  the  mails,  but  I  regret 
to  say  at  rates  of  postage  far  in  excess  of  what  they  should 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

be  in  a  country  where  agriculture  and  horticulture  are 
the  foundation  of  national  wealth.  The  rates  of  postage 
on  seeds,  plants,  and  cuttings,  has  been  doubled  since  the 
first  edition  of  this  book  was  published,  while  the  rates 
on  some  other  classes  of  matter  have  been  reduced  to 
an  almost  nominal  sum — a  discrimination  against  agricul- 
ture and  horticulture  not  warranted  by  the  needs  of  the 
Department,  and  much  against  the  wishes  of  the  public 
at  large.  The  increase  of  railroad  facilities  and  other 
means  of  transportation  has  not  been  to  the  advantage  of 
fruit-growers  in  all  localities  alike,  but  to  some  a  great 
disadvantage,  as  it  has  brought  distant  parts  of  the 
country  into  close  competition.  The  fruit-growers  in  the 
Southern  States  can  now  send  their  berries  to  northern 
markets,  and  while  these  do  not  come  into  direct  com- 
petition with  those  grown  in  the  North,  still  their  pres- 
ence has  a  very  depressing  influence  upon  prices.  Weeks 
and  sometimes  months  before  the  northern  berries  are 
ripe,  the  markets  are  flooded  with  the  southern  grown 
fruit,  and  the  residents  of  our  cities  have  had  enough  of 
strawberries  before  the  home-grown  berries  come  in,  and 
wanting  a  change  the  public  seek  some  other  kind  to  the 
neglect  of  the  fresh  berries  from  the  fields  in  the  suburbs, 
and  prices  go  down  accordingly.  The  southern  fruits 
bring  high  prices,  but  the  cost  of  freight,  commission, 
etc.,  leave  the  raiser  but  a  small  margin  for  profit ;  con- 
sequently the  only  parties  benefited  are  the  transporta- 
tion companies,  commission  men,  and  the  consumer. 

There  have  been  no  great  discoveries  or  improvements 
made  in  methods  of  culture  or  propagation  of  the  Small 
Fruits  during  the  past  dozen  years,  but  there  appears  to 
be  a  growing  desire  to  improve  native  varieties  to  the  ex- 
clusion or  neglect  of  the  foreign,  and  this  is  especially 
noticeable  among  the  cultivators  of  the  Raspberry.  The 
native  sorts  are  attracting  most  attention,  and  are  well 
deserving  of  it,  because  the  foreign  ones  here  have  never 


10  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTTJEIST. 

been  satisfactory  in  general  cultivation.  There  is  room 
for  great  improvements  upon  even  the  best  of  those  now 
known  as  the  leading  native  varieties,  and  if  half  the 
time  and  skill  had  been  bestowed  upon  the  native  Red 
Raspberry,  in  endeavoring  to  produce  new  sorts,  as  has 
been  upon  the  foreign,  we  would  now  have  something 
better  than  even  the  highly  extolled  Cuthbert  and  Turner. 
The  introduction  and  almost  general  use  of  fruit-pre- 
serving cans  have  afforded  the  people  an  opportunity  of 
obtaining  an  uninterrupted  supply  of  choice  fruits,  re- 
gardless of  time  or  season.  Thousands  of  bushels  are 
annually  preserved  for  home  use  by  families,  both  in 
country  and  city.  One  may  step  into  any  of  our  restau- 
rants— even  when  the  snow  covers  the  fields  and  with  the 
thermometer  at  zero — and  call  for  a  dish  of  strawberries 
and  cream,  and  he  will  be  supplied  as  readily  as  in  the 
month  of  June.  The  fruit  may  not  be  quite  so  good  as 
when  first  gathered  from  the  plant,  but,  considering  the 
time  of  year,  it  is  very  acceptable.  Not  only  do  private 
families,  saloons,  and  hotels  consume  enormous  quantities 
of  the  Small  Fruits  which  have  been  preserved  in  these 
hermetically  sealed  cans  and  jars,  but  every  steamer  or 
sailing  vessel  that  leaves  our  ports  takes  with  it  a  supply 
for  use  on  the  voyage,  and  it  often  forms  a  share  of  the 
freight.  We  are  not  only  called  upon  to  produce  fruits 
to  supply  the  home  demand,  but  other  portions  of  the 
world  which  cannot  or  do  not  produce  them,  and  it  can 
readily  be  seen  that  it  must  be  many  years  before  any- 
thing like  an  adequate  quantity  can  be  produced,  even 
with  the  ra?pid  strides  we  are  making.  The  field  for  pro- 
duction may  appear  to  be  a  very  large  one,  still  it  is  far 
less  than  that  of  consumption.  It  is  not  every  location 
or  soil  that  is  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Small 
Fruits,  neither  will  every  variety  succeed  equally  well  on 
the  same  place.  Consequently  the  favorable  regions  for 
particular  kinds  must  furnish  the  people  of  other  loca- 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

tions ;  thus  an  exchange  is  made  beneficial  to  both,  and 
to  the  advantage  of  trade.  The  Southern  States  produce 
fruit  for  home  consumption,  and  for  sale  at  the  North, 
and  vice  versa.  Different  sections  produce  different 
fruits,  but  often  both  yield  the  same,  and  yet  they  be- 
come a  market  for  each  other. 

With  a  constantly  increasing  demand,  and  no  apparent 
prospect  of  our  markets  being  fully  supplied,  it  is  no 
wonder  that  many  have  turned  their  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  Small  Fruits. 

All  along  the  lines  of  our  railroads,  canals,  and  naviga- 
ble rivers,  new  villages  are  springing  up,  each  of  which 
soon  becomes  a  shipping  point  for  produce  sent  to  the 
larger  cities  and  villages.  Places  which  did  not  exist 
eight  or  ten  years  ago,  are  now  annually  sending  to 
market  a  half  million  to  a  million  baskets  of  fruits. 

It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  every  one  who  attempts 
the  cultivation  of  the  Small  Fruits  will  be  successful,  any 
more  than  that  all  will  succeed  in  any  other  business,  still 
it  must  be  admitted,  that  the  culture  of  the  leading  vari- 
eties of  this  class  offers  as  wide  and  safe  a  field  for  enter- 
prise as  is  to  be  found  in  any  other  branch  of  business 
pertaining  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

Some  will  fail  because  they  obtained  varieties  unsuited 
to  their  soil  or  location,  for  it  must  be  remembered  that 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  general  cultivation,  when  ap- 
plied to  the  whole  United  States.  Others  will  attempt 
more  than  they  are  capable  of  completing.  And  there 
are  those  who  imagine  that  all  that  is  required  is,  to  ob- 
tain the  plants  and  see  that  they  are  planted,  after  which 
they  can  sit  down  and  wait  for  a  bountiful  harvest.  Such 
people  are  always  disappointed,  and  it  matters  not  what 
they  undertake  they  are  sure  to  be  unfortunate,  and  every 
experiment  will  end  in  failure  until  they  learn  to  labor 
as  well  as  to  wait.  Profitable  fruit-culture  cannot  result 
from  idleness  or  negligence.  Prompt,  energetic  action,  ap- 


Pit  U  IT  CULTUB18T, 

plied  at  the  proper  time,  is  far  more  essential  with  th« 
small  fruits  than  with  the  larger  ones.  An  apple  or  peai 
tree  will  straggle  long,  and  often  successfully,  against 
weeds,  drouth,  or  an  unsuitable  soil,  while  a  Raspberry  or 
Strawberry  plant  would  perish  in  a  week  nnder  similar 
circumstances.  There  is  probably  nothing  appertaining 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  which  will,  if  properly  con- 
ducted, yield  more  pleasure  or  profit  than  the  culture  of 
our  best  varieties  of  small  fruits.  Still  it  must  not  be  ex- 
pected that  there  are  no  difficulties  in  the  way,  for  there 
will  sometimes  be  early  and  late  frosts;  wet  and  dry  sea- 
ions  ;  cold  winters  and  hot  summers,  and  insects  that  will 
destroy  more  rapidly  than  nature  can  restore ;  therefore 
no  one  should  attempt  the  culture  of  any  kind  of  fruit, 
unless  he  has  courage  and  perseverance  sufficient  to  meet 
and  overcome  all  the  obstacles  he  may  find  in  the  road  to 
success.  To  the  inexperienced  cultivator  these  difficultiei 
may  appear  very  formidable,  yet  they  are  no  greater  thai 
in  any  other  branch  of  business,  and  far  less  than  in  many. 
The  small  fruits,  as  a  class,  are  less  liable  to  be  affected  by 
disease  or  insects  than  a  majority  of  the  larger  kinds, 
and  as  many  of  them,  like  the  Raspberry  and  Blackberry, 
bloom  late  in  the  season  and  perfect  their  fruit  early,  they 
are  seldom  injured  by  the  late  spring  frosts,  which  are 
often  so  very  destructive  to  the  Peach,  Apple,  and  other 
early  bloomers. 

To  guard  against  great  losses  it  is  best  not  to  risk  one'i 
entire  capital  in  any  one  kind,  for  if  that  should  fail,  h 
would  be  ruinous.  Neither  is  it  advisable  to  cultivate  too 
great  a  variety,  for  capital,  needlessly  scattered,  is  not 
readily  gathered.  The  aim  of  the  cultivator  should  be: 
1st — To  provide  against  total  failure.  2d — Cultivate  no 
more  of  any  one  kind  than  he  can  properly  attend  to,  both 
m  cultivating  and  in  gathering  the  fruit.  3d — Provide 
for  a  succession  of  crops,  so  that  there  shall  be  an  uninter- 
rupted income,  in  preference  to  a  large  and  fluctuating 


INTRODUCTION.  18 

»ne.  Fruit-baskets,  crates,  etc.,  must  be  provided,  and 
the  capital  invested  in  these  should  not  be  allowed  to  re 
aiain  idle  any  longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary.  If  sev- 
eral kinds  are  cultivated,  commencing  with  the  Strawber- 
ry, and  followed  by  Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  Currants, 
and  Blackberries,  the  fruit-baskets  may  be  constantly  em- 
ployed for  at  least  three  months,  when  if  but  one  kind 
is  grown  their  use  will  scarcely  extend  over  as  many 
weeks.  Besides  this,  a  better  class  of  help  can  be  secured 
for  gathering  the  fruit  where  steady  employment  for  three 
months  can  be  given,  than  when  for  only  a  few  days  01 
weeks. 

The  chief  object  of  those  who  cultivate  fruit  for  mar- 
ket is  that  of  profit,  and  to  secure  the  largest  return  on 
capital  invested  requires  a  judicious  selection  of  varieties. 
The  best  in  quality  are  seldom  the  most  profitable  for 
general  market  purposes.  Usually  the  highest  flavored 
are  the  most  delicate  growers  and  quite  unproductive, 
Individual  tastes  differ — one  will  choose  a  variety  that  an- 
other  will  reject.  Taste,  however,  is  changeable,  and  a 
fruit,  which  at  one  time  may  be  quite  distasteful,  will,  by 
a  constant  acquaintance,  become  very  agreeable.  Our 
markets  are  but  an  aggregation  of  individuals,  conse- 
quently they  often  change,  and  a  particular  variety  of 
fruit,  when  first  introduced,  will  find  no  purchasers, 
though  it  may  afterwards  become  exceedingly  popular. 

A  particular  color  will  often  be  the  cause  of  rejection, 
and  it  will  require  a  constant  and  persistent  effort  on  the 
part  of  the  producer  to  introduce  the  variety  and  per- 
suade the  masses  to  purchase.  A  case  in  point  is  that  of 
the  Brinckle's  Orange  Raspberry,  a  variety  which  is  ac« 
knowledged,  by  connoisseurs  in  fruit,  to  be  one  of  the  very 
best  in  quality ;  still,  place  it  beside  almost  any  ordinary 
red  variety  in  any  of  the  New  York  markets,  and  not  ten 
baskets  of  it  will  be  sold  to  one  hundred  of  the  latter. 

In  other  cities  the  results  may  be  quite  the  reverse 


14  SMALL   FBUIT   CULTURI8I . 

which  would  only  show  that  the  masses  must  become  a» 
quainted  with  a  variety  before  they  will  freely  purchase, 
especially  if  it  differs  widely  in  appearance  from  those 
which  are  well  known.  The  public  taste  in  this  country 
has  not  as  yet  been  sufficiently  cultivated  to  discriminate 
or  select  the  very  best,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  masses 
appreciate  or  care  whether  a  fruit  is  fully  up  to  any  par- 
ticular standard  of  quality  that  scientific  horticulturists 
have  endeavored  to  establish ;  quantity  is  evidently  more 
highly  prized  than  quality,  especially  if  the  latter  is  at- 
tended by  scarcity. 

I  do  not  wish  in  these  remarks  to  convey  the  idea  that 
the  very  best  should  not  always  be  sought  for,  but  when 
their  cultivation  is  not  remunerative,  quality  alone  be- 
comes of  doubtful  advantage  to  the  producer. 

The  more  familiar  a  people  become  with  any  particular 
kind  of  fruit,  the  more  they  will  appreciate  it,  and  should 
anything  occur  to  deprive  them  of  a  supply,  they  wfll  feel 
the  loss  very  keenly.  Small  fruit-culture  has  already  be- 
come quite  a  prominent  feature  in  American  horticulture, 
and  every  possible  means  should  be  employed,  not  only  to 
keep  up  the  supply,  but  to  increase  it,  so  that  it  shall 
equal  the  demand. 

Heretofore  its  production  has  been  mainly  local ;  that  is, 
a  particular  neighborhood  has  made  a  specialty  of  grow- 
ing some  one  or  more  kinds  that  have  been  found  to  be 
adapted  to  the  location  and  soiL 

Fruit-growers  in  other  sections,  having  tried  the  same 
variety  or  varieties,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  not  finding 
their  culture  remunerative,  have  discarded  them.  Instead 
of  doing  this,  they  should  have  tried  to  produce  new  va- 
rieties that  would  succeed;  or,  endeavored  to  procure 
from  among  the  many  already  known,  some  kind  that  was 
adapted  to  their  particular  soil  and  location.  It  is  well 
known  to  every  experienced  horticulturist  that  certain 
species,  and  all  the  varieties  produced  therefrom,  fail  IP 


INTRODUCnOW.  IB 

•ome  locations  and  soils,  while  other  species  and  their  y» 
rieties,  although  of  the  same  genus,  will  succeed  most  ad- 
mirably. These  peculiarities  of  species  have  given  rise 
to  much  discussion  among  fruit-growers.  One  will  assert, 
for  instance,  that  the  Raspberry  is  a  total  failure  in  his 
section,  and  that  it  cannot  be  grown,  which  may  be  true 
in  regard  to  a  particular  kind  or  class,  but  no  farther. 
There  is  probably  no  soil  in  our  whole  country,  unless  it 
be  under  water  or  totally  barren,  in  which  some  one  or 
more  kinds  of  small  fruits  may  not  be  profitably  grown. 
The  great  desideratum  is,  to  determine  which  they  are, 
and  the  people  are  looking  to  experimenters  to  furnish  the 
required  information. 

This  is  being  given  through  various  mediums  that  are 
accessible  to  all,  and  the  rapidly  extending  culture  of  this 
class  of  fruits  shows  very  clearly  that  the  knowledge 
gained  is  put  to  practical  use.  The  dissemination  of  sim- 
ple facts,  which  are  frequently  conveyed  in  a  single  word 
or  line,  is  often  of  more  value  than  a  learned  and  elabo- 
rate essay. 

We  sometimes  observe  in  nurserymen's  catalogues,  re- 
ferring to  a  particular  variety,  a  simple  remark  like  this 
"  succeeds  admirably  with  me  in  a  light  sandy,  clayey,  01 
loamy  soil,"  as  the  case  may  be,  thereby  giving  a  key  to 
the  secret  of  his  success  and  the  failure  of  others. 

There  was  a  time  in  the  history  of  horticulture  when 
secrets  were  a  merchantable  commodity,  and  the  particular 
methods  of  propagation  and  culture  were  transferred  from 
one  gardener  to  another  for  a  consideration.  But  those 
days  are  past,  for  the  true  horticulturist  of  the  present 
day  keeps  no  secrets  that  will  benefit  mankind,  but  hast- 
ens to  give  to  the  world  the  advantages  which  may  arise 
from  any  discovery  he  makes,  receiving  in  return  that 
which  is  of  more  lasting  value  than  money :  the  thanks 
of  his  co-laborers.  It  is  true,  that  occasionally  a  man  can 
be  found  so  blind  to  his  own  interest  and  reputation,  and 


16  SILILL  FBUIT 

§o  selfishly  mean,  as  to  desire  to  keep  to  himself  any  prooesi 
by  which  he  thinks  he  can  surpass  his  neighbors,  and  tai 
the  public  for  his  own  benefit;  but  such  is  the  estimation 
in  which  these  men  are  held  by  a  large  majority  of  horti- 
culturists, and  so  readily  is  their  meanness  discovered  by 
their  customers,  that  they  are  very  soon  obliged  either  to 
retire  from  business  and  seek  some  other  less  honorable 
occupation,  or  eke  out  a  miserable  existence  supported 
by  the  patronage  of  a  class  no  better  than  themselves. 

The  laws  of  nature  should  be  secrets  to  none,  and  he 
who  would  deny  others  the  knowledge  of  any  important 
discovery  in  horticultural  processes,  would,  if  he  were 
able,  have  the  blessed  sunshine  and  showers  shut  out  from 
every  field  but  his.  It  is  to  the  constant  interchange  of 
facts,  derived  from  experience,  that  we  owe  much  of  our 
progress  in  horticulture.  To  know  the  different  varieties, 
go  that  one  can  name  them  at  sight,  does  not  constitute, 
as  some  may  suppose,  all  the  knowledge  requisite  to  en- 
able one  to  cultivate  them  successfully. 

Their  adaptation  to  the  various  soils,  locations,  and 
climate ;  the  best  mode  of  cultivation,  propagation,  prim- 
ing ;  whether  the  fruit  is  firm  or  fragile,  rendering  it  more 
suitable  for  market  or  home  use — these  and  many  other 
points  must  be  understood  before  one  can  safely  go  into 
small  fruit-culture  on  an  extensive  scale.  There  has  been 
much  discussion  as  to  whether  a  constant  cultivation  of 
the  soil  was  necessary  to  produce  remunerative  results 
from  growing  the  apple,  peach,  pear,  and  kindred  fruits. 
There  is,  perhaps,  some  reason  in  particular  cases  for 
an  apparent  neglect,  such  as  excessive  growth,  which 
may  be  checked  by  non-cultivation  more  readily  than  oth- 
erwise. But  with  the  fruits,  of  which  we  shall  treat  in 
the  following  pages,  there  are  no  exceptions  to  the  rule— 
the  better  the  care,  the  more  remunerative  the  results.  By 
bestowing  the  best  of  care,  we  will  not  only  obtain  better 
returns,  but  they  will  be  in  an  increased  ratio  to  the  amount 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

of  labor  bestowed.  In  many  instances,  with  an  annual 
expenditure  of  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre,  a  return  of 
only  one  hundred  is  obtained,  while  upon  the  same  soil 
and  with  the  same  variety,  if  fifty  dollars  had  been  ex- 
pended, the  return  would  have  been  three  or  four  hundred. 
All  experiments  show  that  extra  culture  is  far  more  prof 
itable  than  what  is  generally  termed  good  culture.  I  do 
not  mean  by  this  that  it  is  necessary  to  trench  the  soil 
four  feet  deep,  and  apply  a  thousand  loads  of  manure  pef 
acre  to  a  soil  which  is  naturally  deep  and  rich ;  but  that 
deep  plowing  and  subsoiling  should  be  employed,  with  a 
liberal  supply  of  enriching  materials,  if  the  best  results 
are  to  be  obtained.  But  few  of  those  who  are  called 
good  cultivators  are  aware  of  the  large  increase  of  fruit 
which  may  be  produced  on  an  acre  by  giving  extra  cul- 
ture, instead  of  the  ordinary  method.  Many  fruit-grow* 
ers,  for  the  purpose  of  extending  their  business,  increase 
the  number  of  acres,  when,  if  they  would  double  the 
depth  of  that  which  they  already  possess,  they  would  ob- 
tain the  same  increase  in  product  without  going  to  the 
expense  of  purchasing  more  land,  besides  incurring  the 
extra  trouble  of  cultivating  two  acres,  when  one  might, 
with  proper  care,  produce  the  same  results.  Deepening 
the  soil  is  not  wholly  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  more 
plant  food,  nor  to  facilitate  the  downward  growth  of 
roots,  but  it  is  principally  for  the  purpose  of  disintegra- 
tion, and  making  it  of  such  a  consistency  that  it  will  be 
capable  of  retaining  a  sufficient  amount  of  moisture  at  all 
times  to  nourish  and  supply  the  plants  growing  therein, 
but  not  enough  to  be  detrimental.  Rain  water,  as  is 
well  known,  contains  gases  that  are  beneficial  to  plants,  and 
if  the  soil  is  in  a  condition  to  allow  it  to  pass  through  it,  a 
large  portion  of  these  gases  will  be  retained,  but  if  the 
surface  is  hard,  the  water  either  runs  off  or  remains  until 
it  evaporates. 
Again,  a  soil  that  is  loose  and  frioble  admits  air,  and 


18  SMALL  PBUIT  CDXTUBIST. 

with  it  moisture.  To  prove  this  fact,  we  have  only  to 
take  a  piece  of  glass  or  polished  steel,  or  any  similar  sub- 
stance, and  place  it  in  an  ice-house  where  it  will  become 
cold ;  then  carry  it  into  the  open  air,  and  in  a  moment  it 
will  be  covered  with  water  condensed  from  the  atmos- 
phere. Now,  we  know  that  this  moisture  did  not  exude 
from  the  glass,  therefore  it  must  have  come  from  the  air. 
By  stirring  the  soil,  and  placing  that  which  has  become  heat- 
ed underneath  to  warm  the  roots,  and  bringing  the  cooler 
portions  to  the  top  to  condense  the  moisture,  two  objects 
are  obtained :  besides  loosening  the  earth  that  it  may  be 
the  more  easily  penetrated  by  the  rootlets,  it  at  the 
same  time  admits  the  air  charged  with  moisture  for  their 
nourishment.  The  benefit  derived  from  frequent  stirring 
of  the  surface  soil  in  dry  weather,  especially  if  it  be  of  a 
compact  nature,  is  mainly  derived  from  the  admission  of 
air  containing  moisture.  Many  cultivators  appear  to 
think  that  all  that  is  required  of  them  is,  to  keep  the 
weeds  from  growing  among  their  plants,  and  they  never 
3tir  the  soil  except  for  this  purpose ;  but  our  best  culti- 
vators have  learned  that  frequent  moving  of  the  soil  is 
very  beneficial  to  all  crops,  especially  in  time  of  drouth. 
If  any  one  doubts  that  soil  can  be  made  moist  by  frequent 
stirring,  let  them  select  a  piece  of  ground  under  some 
open  shed  where  no  rain  has  reached  for  a  year  or  more, 
break  up  the  soil  and  pulverize  it  finely ;  then  stir  it  and 
turn  it  over  every  morning  for  a  week  or  two,  and  it  will 
become  quite  moist,  while  a  similar  soil  in  the  open  field, 
which  has  not  been  stirred,  will  be  parched  and  dry. 
Mulching  the  surface  with  straw,  leaves,  or  similar  materi- 
als, is  often  very  beneficial,  especially  to  plants  whose 
roots  do  not  penetrate  deeply.  The  mulch  not  only  as- 
sists in  preventing  evaporation,  but  insures  condensation 
of  moisture  from  the  air,  which  passes  freely  through  it  to 
the  soil 
It  U  not  my  purpose  to  enter  into  any  elaborate  diaou* 


INTRODUOTION.  19 

rions  of  particular  theories  relative  to  growth,  structure, 
food  of  plants,  or  any  of  the  various  points  in  vegetable 
physiology  which  are  considered  debatable  questions. 
But  as  I  shall  have  occasion  in  the  following  pages  to  ad- 
vise deep  and  thoroughly  pulverized  soil,  I  have  stated 
the  foregoing  simple  facts,  so  that  the  reader  may  under- 
stand why  they  are  recommended. 


CHAPTER   I. 

BARBERRY.—  BERBERIS. 

NATURAL  FAMILY  Berberidacece. 

[Name  derived  from  the  Arabic  Berberys.   The  French  name  is  Epine  vinette  j 
German,  Berberitze  ;  Dutch,  Berberisse  ;  Italian,  Berbero  ;  Spanish,  Berberis.] 


CHARACTERS.  —  Shrubs  of  medium  size,  with 
yellow  inner  bark  and  wood  ;  flowers  in  drooping  ra- 
cemes ;  leaves,  and  fruit,  acid.  A  section  of  this  genus, 
with  evergreen  leaves,  is  called  Mahonia. 

SPECIES. 

Berberis  vulgaris.  —  Common  Barberry.  —  Native  of 
Britain,  but  has  become  naturalized  in  the  New  England 
States  ;  stems  with  sharp  spines  ;  leaves  obovate-oblong, 
bristly-toothed  ;  berries  oblong,  scarlet. 

Berberis  Canadensis.  —  American  Barberry.  —  Very 
similar  to  the  last  ;  the  racemes  not  quite  so  long.  Ber- 
ries oval,  red.  Considered  by  some  botanists  as  only  a 
variety  of  B.  vulgaris.  Alleghanies  and  southward. 

The  past  summer,  in  a  visit  to  New  Mexico,  I  found 
this  species  in  great  abundance  in  the  deep  canyons,  at 
an  elevation  of  six  thousand  to  eight  thousand  feet 
above  the  sea.  It  seemed  to  thrive  best  along  the 
dry  banks  and  sides  of  the  canyons,  among  the  yuccas 
and  cactuses,  where  few  other  plants  can  survive  the  long 
drouths  of  those  regions.  Leaves  smaller  than  in  B.  vul- 
garis, slightly  serrate  ;  lighter  green  ;  similar  in  habit, 
but  less  robust,  perhaps  owing  to  the  rigorous  climate. 

Berberis  Fremonti.  —  Fremont's  Barberry.  —  A  hand- 
some large  evergreen  shrub,  five  to  ten  feet  high,  with 
rigid  trifoliate  leaves  ;  leaflets  one  to  two  and  a  half 
inches  long,  the  middle  one  usually  the  longest,  some- 
what cordate  at  the  base,  and  with  more  numerous  teeth, 
the  lowest  pairs  situated  close  at  the  base.  Flowers  in 
clusters  of  two  or  three  ;  berries  ovate,  dark  blue,  about 
the  size  of  small  currants.  Discovered  by  Fremont,  in 
20 


BAEBEEEY.  21 

1844,  in  Southern  Utah,  but  it  extends  along  the  valleys 
southward,  and  would  probably  succeed  in  the  Middle 
States,  if  not  in  the  Northern. 

Berberis  trifoliata. — Three-leaved  Barberry. — Closely 
allied  to  the  last ;  common  in  Western  Texas  and  New 
Mexico.  Berries  bright  red,  and  less  acid  than  those  of 
the  common  barbery.  Fruit  used  for  tarts,  etc. 

Berberis  dulcis* — Magellan  Sweet  Barberry. — Also 
B.  luxifolia  and  B.  rotundifolia.  Straits  of  Magellan ; 
it  is  an  evergreen  there  and  in  England  ;  here  it  usually 
drops  its  leaves  late  in  winter.  The  berries  are  round, 
black,  moderately  sweet. 

Berberis  aristata. — Nepaul  Barberry. — B.  Asiatica 
and  B.  Chitra.  A  native  of  various  portions  of  India* 
Evergreen,  with  purple  fruit,  covered  with  bloom. 

The  other  evergreen  species  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
and  the  Pacific  Coast,  i.  e.,  B.  repens,  B.  Aquifolium, 
B.  pinnata  and  B.  nervosa,  are  known  as  "Mountain" 
or  "Bush-Grapes."  They  were  formerly  placed  in  the 
genus  Mahonia ;  and  are  principally  cultivated  for  orna- 
menfc ;  the  pioneers  in  the  regions  named  considered  the 
berries  as  edible,  and  as  a  substitute  for  grapes. 

HISTORY. 

There  is  very  little  in  the  history  of  the  Barberry  that 
is  of  interest  at  the  present  day.  Gerarde,  an  English 
author  (1597),  says  that  its  young  leaves  were  used  as  a 
salad  in  his  time. 

PROPAGATION. 

BY  SEEDS. — Gather  the  fully  ripe  berries,  and  put  into 
boxes  until  the  pulp  becomes  soft,  then  wash  out  the 
seeds,  and  either  sow  or  keep  in  sand  until  wanted. 

Sow  in  the  fall ;  if  delayed  until  spring,  the  seeds  be- 
come dry,  and  more  or  less  of  them  will  not  grow.  Where 
the  weather  is  very  hot  and  dry  in  summer,  select  a  half- 
shady  place  for  the  seed-bed,  else  the  young  plants  will 


22  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

be  burned  off.  Sow  in  drills,  and  cover  them  about  one 
inch  deep  ;  keep  the  weeds  down,  and  stir  the  soil  often. 

Transplant  in  early  spring  when  one  or  two  years  old, 
and  at  the  time  of  removal  shorten  the  tap-root  about 
one-third. 

BY  SUCKERS. — The  Barberry  throws  up  numerous 
suckers,  chiefly  from  the  main  stem,  and  roots  are  pro- 
duced on  the  base  of  these,  which  may  be  separated  from 
the  old  plant  to  increase  the  number  of  plants. 

BY  CUTTINGS. — Cuttings  of  the  ripe  wood  do  not  grow 
as  readily  as  with  some  other  plants ;  still,  with  care,  they 
will  succeed.  Select  one  or  two-year-old  wood  in  the  fall, 
before  it  has  been  severely  frozen,  and  cut  it  into  lengths 
of  six  or  eight  inches,  cutting  the  lower  end  square  across 
and  just  below  a  bud.  Use  a  sharp  knife,  in  order  to  cut 
smoothly.  After  the  cuttings  are  made,  bury  them  in  a 
dry  place  in  the  open  ground,  and  cover  beyond  the  reach 
of  frost.  Do  not  tie  in  bundles,  but  place  in  alternate 
layers  of  soil  and  cuttings.  In  the  spring  take  out  and 
plant,  placing  them  about  three  inches  apart  in  the  rows, 
covering  all  but  one  or  two  inches  of  the  upper  end. 
Pack  the  soil  firmly  around  them,  and  either  hoe  often  or 
cover  the  entire  surface  of  the  soil  with  mulch.  As  the 
same  general  system  is  followed  for  all  ripe  wood  cuttings 
grown  in  the  open  ground,  I  will  here  give  my  method 
with  the  Barberry,  the  Currant,  Gooseberry,  and  all  simi- 
lar plants.  When  the  cuttings  are  prepared,  select  a  dry 
place,  and  dig  a  drench  one  spade  deep,  in  shape  like  a 
letter  V ;  place  a  layer  of  cuttings  on  one  side,  then  throw 
enough  soil  from  the  other  side  to  cover  them  about  an 
inch  deep.  Then  place  another  layer  of  cuttings  against 
this  soil,  keeping  the  trench  in  the  same  shape  as  it  was 
when  begun,  cover  the  next  layer  in  the  same  manner, 
and  so  on  until  the  cuttings  are  all  in ;  then  bank  over 
with  earth  and  smooth  the  surface  so  that  the  water  will 
readily  run  off. 


BARBEKKY.  23 

In  the  spring,  prepare  a  bed  for  the  cuttings  by  digging 
or  plowing  deeply,  and  enriching  with  well  rotted  manure. 
Harrow  or  rake  the  surface  level  and  smooth ;  then  draw 
a  line  across  the  bed,  and  dig  a  trench  by  placing  the  back 
of  the  spade  against  the  line,  pressing  it  down  perpendicu- 
larly ;  then  throw  out  the  soil  to  one  side,  making  a  trench 
of  the  shape  shown  in  figure  1.  Place  the  cuttings  against 

the  perpendicular  side  of  the 
trench,  two  to  four  inches 
apart,  and  the  upper  end  au 
inch  or  two  above  the  surface 
of  the  soil.  Draw  in  a  little 
soil,  and  press  it  down  firmly 
with  the  foot,  or  with  an  in- 
Fig.  1.— CUTTING  TRENCH.  strument  made  from  a  piece  of 
two  inch  plank,  as  shown  in  figure  2.  After  the  earth  has 
been  packed  firmly  about  the  base  of  the  cutting,  the 
trench  may  be  filled  up  level  w~ith  the  surrounding  soil 
With  many  kinds  of  plants  the  packing  of  the 
soil  around  the  lower  end  of  the  cuttings  is  a 
very  essential  point,  and  often  the  whole  secret 
of  success.  This  is  particularly  so  with  those 
kinds  that  produce  roots  mainly  from  the  lower 
end,  where  the  wood  is  exposed  to  the  soil.  The 
distance  between  the  rows  will  depend  entirely 
upon  the  manner  in  which  they  are  to  be  culti- 
vated. If  a  cultivator  is  to  be  used,  then  they 
should  be  two  and  a  half  or  three  feet  apart ; 
but  where  they  are  to  be  cultivated  with  the 
hoe  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  will  be  sufficient. 
In  some  soils  and  locations  the  plants  raised 
from  cuttings  may  be  left  in  the  ground  where  ^* 
they  are  grown  until  the  following  spring,  and  then  trans- 
planted ;  but  the  safest  plan  is  to  take  them  up  in  the  fall,  be- 
cause in  some  soils  they  will  be  thrown  out  by  the  frost,  un- 
less they  have  a  larger  quantity  of  roots  than  is  usual. 


£4  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

BY  GREEN  WOOD  CUTTINGS. — This  mode  of  propagating 
the  Barberry  can  only  be  practiced  to  advantage  by  those 
who  have  propagating  houses.  The  plants  should  be  taken 
up  in  the  fall  and  potted,  giving  each  plant  sufficient  soil 
and  room  to  insure  a  healthy  growth.  They  may  be  placed 
directly  in  the  house  or  in  frames  or  cellar  until  wanted. 
When  they  are  first  potted  the  soil  should  be  watered  so 
that  it  will  settle  about  the  roots  and  fill  all  interstice* 
between  them. 

When  the  plants  have  been  placed  in  the  house,  and 
have  made  a  growth  of  two  or  three  inches,  the  cuttings 
may  be  taken  off  by  severing  the  new-growing  wood  close 
to  the  main  stem ;  place  the  cuttings  in  pots  tilled  with  pure 
sand,  fifteen  to  twenty  in  a  six  inch  pot,  after  which  give 
water  to  settle  the  sand  about  the  cuttings ;  then  cover 
with  a  bell  glass,  or  place  in  frames  within  the  house,  as 
usual  with  other  green  wood  cuttings. 

Every  experienced  propagator  will  understand  and  know 
how  to  treat  the  cuttings  when  they  become  rooted,  and 
those  who  are  novices  in  these  matters  would  do  well  to 
practice  a  while  upon  plants  less  difficult  to  propagate,  be- 
fore trying  the  Barberry. 

BY  BUDDING  AND  GRAFTING. — The  rare  varieties  are 
sometimes  worked  upon  the  more  common  kinds,  usually  by 
budding.  The  operation  is  performed  just  as  soon  as  the 
buds  are  fully  developed  on  the  young  growth  of  the  sea- 
son, and  in  the  same  manner  as  upon  the  apple  and  similar 
trees.  Grafting  is  also  performed  in  the  usual  manner,  but 
the  cion  should  be  inserted  in  the  stock  below  the  surface 
so  that  all  but  the  upper  bud  will  be  covered  by  the  soil. 

BY  LAYERS. — The  usual  manner  of  making  layers  of  othei 
woody  plants  is  applicable  to  the  Barberry,  but  they  will 
seldom  become  well  rooted  the  first  season.  Still  they  may 
be  severed  from  the  parent  plant  in  the  autumn  or  early 
spring ;  the  upper  portions  of  the  stems  are  cut  ofi  and 
then  they  are  treated  the  same  as  cuttings. 


BABBEBRY  25 

Ttie  layers  may  be  made  in  early  spring,  of  the  previous 
ieason's  growth,  or  later,  when  new  wood  is  formed  of  suf- 
ficient length  for  the  purpose.  Layers  put  down  in  the 
autumn  will  become  well  rooted  by  the  end  of  the  next 
season. 

CULTURE. 

The  Barberry,  when  left  to  itself,  forms  a  dense  shrub, 
with  many  stems,  but  when  cultivated  for  its  fruit  a  portion 
of  the  shoots  sh™ld  be  annually  removed  to  allow  the  sun 
and  air  to  more  readily  reach  all  parts  of  the  plant,  and 
assist  in  developing  the  fruit  buds. 

It  may  also  be  trained  to  a  single  stem,  and  when  treated 
hi  this  manner,  some  of  the  varieties  will  form  shrubs  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  hi  hight.  The  fruit  will  also  be  larger  and 
more  abundant  than  when  the  plant  is  allowed  to  grow  in 
the  natural  manner  and  without  pruning. 

Each  plant  should  be  given  plenty  of  room  and  not 
crowded,  especially  when  fruit  is  the  object  of  cultivation. 
Six  to  eight  feet  apart  will  be  sufficient  in  ordinary  soiL 

As  before  remarked,  the  Barberry  will  grow  in  dry  and 
almost  barren  soil ;  still,  as  no  plant  will  produce  the  best 
results  in  such  situations,  it  is  best  to  give  a  good,  deep 
and  moderately  rich  soil  even  to  plants  that  will  grow  in  a 
poor  one. 

VARIETIES  AND  USES. 

Berberis  Vlllgaris. — This  species  and  some  of  its  varie- 
ties are  probably  better  known  in  this  country  than  any 
others.  The  most  common  is  the  original  species,  which  is 
found  growing  wild  in  many  places  in  the  New  England 
States.  It  is  also  quite  common  in  gardens.  The  fruit  is 
oblong,  about  half  an  inch  in  length  and  one-eighth  across 
of  a  bright  scarlet  color,  very  acid,  but  of  agreeable  flavor. 
Figure  3  shows  a  small  branch,  with  fruit  and  flowers  of 
natural  size,  and  figure  4  gives  a  magnified  single  flower. 
There  is  a  peculiarity  about  the  stamens  worthy  of  notice, 
ft 


SMALL    FRUIT    CULTUEIST. 


as  they  are  endowed  with  a  remarkable  irritability. 

the   flower  opens,  the  stamens  all  lay  back   against  \he 


Fig.  3. — BARBERRY  FLOWER  AND  FRUIT. 

petals,  but  when  touched  by  an  insect  they  spring  up 
against  the  pistil,  where 
they  discharge  their  pollen. 
This  motion  may  be  pro- 
duced by  touching  the  sta- 
mens near  the  base  with 
a  pin  or  other  point.  The 
Fig.  4.  stamens  discharge  their  pollen  in  a  rather 

unusual  manner.     In  most  stamens  the  anther,  or  pollen- 


.5. 


BARBERRY.  27 

Dealing  portion,  opens  by  slits,  but  in  the  Barberry  a  pair 
of  little  doors,  or  traps,  lift  up  to  allow  the  pollen  to  fall 
out.  Figure  5  shows  two  enlarged  stamens— one  closed 
and  the  other  open. 

The  fruit  and  flowers  are  not  produced  at  the  same  time 
apon  the  plant,  but  as  a  matter  of  convenience  they  are 
both  shown  on  the  same  branch  in  the  engraving.  The 
fruit  is  much  used  for  preserves,  pickles,  jams,  &o. 

The  thorny  character  of  the  plant,  with  its  upright,  com- 
pact growth,  makes  it  a  very  desirable  hedge  plant. 

The  inner  bark  of  the  stem  and  roots  is  used  in  some 
countries  for  making  a  yellow  dye.  It  is  also  used  in  Po- 
land  and  other  portions  of  the  East  for  tanning  purposes. 

The  best  known  varieties  of  this  species  are  as  follows : 

B.  vulgar  is  alba^ — White  fruited. — Not  very  productive, 
and  not  so  vigorous  a  grower  as  the  original. 

B.  vulgaris  asperma. — A  variety  which  produces  fruit 
without  seeds.  It  is  not,  however,  constant,  and  plants 
propagated  from  it  will  often  produce  fruit  with  seeds. 
This  variety  has  been  known  and  cultivated  in  England 
for  more  than  two  hundred  years,  according  to  Parkinson, 
Gerarde  and  other  old  authors. 

B.  vulgar  is  dulcis. — Sweet  fruited. — Very  similar  to  the 
species.  The  fruit  is  a  little  larger  and  not  quite  so  acid, 
and  leaves  bright  green  and  shining. 

This  variety  should  not  be  confounded  with  the  before 
mentioned  species,  Berberis  dulcis,  as  the  latter  has  black 
fruit  of  the  size  of  a  large  currant,  which  is  solitary,  while 
that  of  the  former  is  produced  in  racemes. 

B.  vulgaris  purpurea. — Purple  leaved. — Leaves  dark 
purple.  On  this  account  it  is  very  ornamental. 

B.  vulgaris  glauca* — Leaves  pale  green  and  glaucous; 
not  shining. 

B.  vulgaris  long-folia. — Leaves  longer  thai:  in  th«  ape 
eies ;  otherwise  the  same. 


•8  SMALL  FEUIT  CIJLTT7RIST. 

B.  vulgaris  lutea,— Yellow  fruited.— A  variety  witk 

small  yellow  fruit ;  not  very  productive. 

B.  vulgaris  mitis, — Thorns  small  and  not  as  rigid  as  in 
other  varieties. 

B.  TUlgaris  nigra. — Black  fruited. — Tournefort  found 
his  variety  on  the  banks  of  the  Euphrates,  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  ago.  He  says  that  the  fruit  is  of  a 
sweet  and  delicious  flavor.  I  am  not  aware  of  its  being 
cultivated  in  America. 

B.  Yulgaris  purpurea. — Purple  fruited. — Fruit  dark  red 
or  purple.  Leaves  narrow,  with  few  prickles. 

B.  vulgar  is  violacea. — Violet  fruited. — Fruit  violet 
colored. 

There  are  probably  many  other  varieties  of  this  species, 
as  the  seedlings  usually  vary  considerably,  especially  when 
the  seeds  are  taken  from  kinds  that  are  quite  distinct  from 
the  original  species. 

Seedlings  grown  from  the  purple-leaved  variety  will 
show  a  great  diversity  of  foliage.  Some  will  have  purple 
leaves  like  the  parent,  while  others  will  be  margined  with 
purple  or  red,  or  be  wholly  green. 

Berberis  Sibirica,— Siberian  Barberry.— Native  of  Si- 
oeria,  where  it  is  found  growing  among  rocks  on  hill  sides 
and  mountains.  The  plant  seldom  grows  more  than  two 
feet  high.  Fruit  oval,*red,  solitary,  peduncle  shorter 
than  the  leaves. 

The  following,  which  may  be  distinct  species,  or  only 
rarieties,  possess  no  particular  merit  as  regards  then-  fruit, 
out  may  interest  the  botanist  or  those  who  wish  to  make 
their  collections  as  complete  as  possible : 

Bi  Iberica* — Iberian  Barberry. — Berries  deep  purple. 

B.  SinensiS. — Chinese  Barberry.— Berries  dull  red. 

B.  Cretica. — Cretan  Barberry.  —  Berries  oval,  black, 
rery  astringent. 


BARBERRT.  29 

The  Barberry  is  susceptible  of  great  improvement,  and 
might,  if  a  proper  amount  of  care  were  bestowed  upon  it, 
become  a  fruit  of  much  importance ;  whereas,  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  it  is  seldom  admitted  to  the  fruit  garden,  being 
mainly  planted  for  ornamental  purposes. 

DISEASES    AND    INSECTS. 

The  Barberry  is  seldom  injured  to  any  considerable  ex- 
tent by  disease  or  insects.  The  leaves  are  sometimes  in- 
jured by  a  species  of  fungus  called  ^Ecidium  Berberidis. 
It  usually  makes  its  appearance  on  the  upper  end  of  the 
leaves  (fig.  6),  then  becomes  scattered  over 
the  surface,  and  extends  to  the  fruit.  To 
the  eye  it  appears  like  fine  reddish  dust. 
When  these  rust-like  spots  are  examined 
with  a  lens,  they  appear  as  in  figure  7, 
and  when  more  highly  magnified  the 
whole  is  found  to  consist  of 
cup-like  cells,  as  in  figure  8. 
These  cups  are  at  first  covered 
with  a  thin,  light  colored  film, 
Fig.  6.  which,  when  the  fungus  be- 

comes mature,  bursts  and  leaves  the  edges  of  the  cup  with 
the  uneven  margin  shown  in  figure  8.  When  this  covering 
bursts,  the  cups  discharge  their  spores  or  reproductive 
dust,  which  is  scattered  over  the  leaves  and  fruit. 

This  fungus  or  mildew  has 
been  supposed  to  cause  the  blight 
in  wheat,  and  it  is  an  old  belief 
that  the  Barberry  would  cause 
the  grain  near  which  it  grew  to 
_r.  a  blast.  This  belief  has  generally 

been  treated  as  a  superstition  by  scientific  men,  but  recent 
researches  show  that  it  may  have  a  foundation  in  fact. 
Many  of  these  minute  fungi  have  in  different  generations 
Very  unlike  forms.  Thus,  the  spores  of  A  will  produce 


80  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUB1M. 

B.  so  unlike  A.  that  it  has  been  taken  for  a  different 
fungus,  and  B.  will  again  reproduce  A.  Ther?  is  a  strong 
probability  that  the  rust  of  the  Barberry  and  the  smut  in 
wheat  are  both  forms  of  the  same  fungus. 

The  injury  which  it  causes  to  the  Barberry  is  very  slight, 
but  it  may  become  so  prevalent  as  to  be  worthy  of  particc 
lar  attention.  Ashes  or  slacked  lime  scattered  over  th, 
leaves  in  the  morning,  when  the  dew  is  on  them,  woulc 
probably  destroy  it  or  check  its  progress.  Another  bligb* 
which  affects  the  leaves  later  in  the  season,  known  as  M+ 
crosphceria  Berberidis,  is  shown  highly  magnified  in  figurt 
9.  It  appears  in  very  minute  spots,  with  fine,  rib-like  ap- 
pendages radiating  from  the 
center,  like  the  spokes  of  £ 
wheel,  the  ends  of  each  be- 
ing divided  into  several 
small  branches,  as  in  figure 
10.  This  species  of  blight 
attacks  the  leaves  so  late  in 

Fig.  9.  Fig.  10.        the  season  that  it  causes  but 

little  if  any  injury.  The  illustrations  of  these  and  the  other 
minute  fungi  given  in  subsequent  pages,  are  taken  from  a 
work  called  "  Rust,  Smut  and  Mildew,"  by  M.  C.  Cook, 
London.  This  charming  little  work  is  beautifully  illus- 
trated, and  as  it  describes  many  fungi  common  to  both 
this  country  and  England,  we  call  the  attention  of  our 
readers  to  it,  as  the  most  available  source  of  information 
concerning  these  humble,  but,  to  the  fruit  grower,  import- 
ant forms  of  vegetation. 

I  am  not  aware  of  any  insect  that  is  injurious  to  the 
Barberry.  The  peculiar  (and  rather  agreeable  than  other- 
wise) fragrance  of  the  flowers  attracts  numerous  insects  to 
the  plant  when  in  bloom,  and  their  presence  is  probably 
for  the  purpose  of  gathering  food,  while  they  aid  at  the  same 
time  in  fertilizing  the  flowers  by  irritating  the  stamen* 


CHAPTER 


THE    STRAWBERRY.—  FRAGABIA 

NATURAL    FAMILY 


[Name  derived  from  fragrant,  perfumed  in  reference  to  the  fragrance  of  tht 
fruit.  French,  Frasier  ;  German,  Erdbeerpjlanze  ;  Dutch,  Aadbezie  ;  Italian, 
Ptanta  di  fragda  ;  Spanish,  Freza.  The  name  of  Strawberry  is  said  by  Pryoi 
to  be  derived  from  the  Anglo  Saxon  "  Streoberte"  either  from  its  straw-like 
haulms,  or  from  their  laying  strown  upon  the  ground.  Other  authors  give  differ' 
ent  derivations.] 

GENERAL    CHARACTERS. 

Calyx  flat  or  reflexed,  deeply  five-cleft,  with  the  same 
number  of  bractlets,  thus  appearing  to  be  ten-cleft.  Petals 
five,  white,  erect,  spreading.  Stamens  many,  usually  about 
twenty.  Pistils  numerous,  adhering  at  the  base  to  the 
small  seed-like  fruits,  these  are  situated  on  the  fleshy  re- 
ceptacle, which  enlarges  and  becomes  what  is  generally 
called  the  fruit  or  berry.  Increased  by  seeds,  runners  and 
divisions  of  the  roots.  Stemless  perennials,  with  or  without 
runners.  Leaves  radical,  divided  into  three  leaflets,  obovate 
wedge-form,  coarsely  serrate,  evergreen.  Root  fibrous, 
rather  woody,  perennial. 

SPECIES 

Fragaria  TCSCa.—  Edible  Strawberry,  Alpine  Straw- 
berry, Wood  Strawberry,  &c.  —  Seeds  superficial,  on  the 
conical  or  hemispherical  fruiting  receptacle  (not  sunk  in  a 
Cavity).  Flower  stalks  longer  than  the  leaves,  erect,  hairy, 
hairs  closely  pressed  upward.  Fruit  drooping,  usually  con- 
ical, sometimes  globular.  Leaves  thin,  pale  green  ;  upper 
surface  uneven,  slightly  wavy.  Native  of  Europe  and 
America. 


82  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTTJB1ST. 

Fragaria  collina. — Green  Strawberry.-— This  is  consid 
ered  by  some  botanists  as  a  species,  but  the  only  really 
distinct  character  is  in  its  fruit,  which  is  greenish-brown 
when  ripe. 

Fragaria  elatior. — Hautbois  Strawberry.-- Calyx  re- 
flexed.  Seeds  superficial.  Flower  stalks  longer  than  the 
leaves,  erect.  Fruit  round  or  oblate,  usually  drooping,  but 
sometimes  erect,  possessing  a  strong  musky  flavor.  Hairs 
on  both  leaf  and  flower-stalks  long,  and  widely  spreading, 
somewhat  reflexed.  Leaves  larger  than  in  F.  vesca,  and 
more  or  less  pubescent,  covered  with  short  hairs  on  both 
upper  and  lower  surface,  giving  them  a  rough  appearance. 
Native  of  Germany. 

Fragaria  Indie  a, — India  Strawberry.— A  species  with 
yellow  flowers.  Fruit  not  edible.  Native  of  India. 

Fragaria  Virginiana. — Virginian  Strawberry. — Seeds 
imbedded  in  the  deeply  pitted  receptacle.  Fruit  roundish, 
ovoid  to  conical,  highly  perfumed.  Flower  stalks  shorter 
than  the  leaves,  hairy ;  hairs  spreading,  more  or  less  erect 
Leaves  obovate,  wedge  form,  variable,  coarsely  serrate, 
usually  dark  green ;  upper  surface  smooth,  often  shining. 
Native  of  North  America.  Chiefly  in  the  United  States 
and  southern  po-tions  of  Canada. 

Fragaria  grandiflora. — Large  flowering  Strawberry. — 
Calyx  erect,  slightly  spreading.  Seeds  set  hi  a  shallow  de- 
pression. Flowers  larger  than  in  other  species.  Fruit 
sweet,  perfumed.  Flesh  firm.  Flower  stalks  shorter  than 
the  leaves.  Leaves  smooth,  usually  deep  green.  Serra- 
tures  broadly  ovate.  Native  of  South  America. 

HISTORY. 

It  is  of  little  consequence  to  the  horticulturist  of  the 
present  day  whether  any  particular  kind  of  fruit  familiar 
to  us  was  known  hi  ancient  times.  Still,  we  often  find  our 
•elves  sending  a  thought  back  into  the  dim  and  uncertain 


STKAWBEERY.  83 

past,  picking  up  here  and  there  a  stray  word  or  line  that 
informs  us  that  some  of  the  fruits  now  cultivated  by  us 
were  also  known  to  those  of  former  ages. 

The  number  of  such  old  time  fruits  is  quite  limited,  and 
most  of  them  are  of  quality  so  inferior  that  we  would 
hardly  be  willing  to  exchange  those  of  our  time  for  the 
productions  of  any  period. 

The  Strawberry  was  probably  not  cultivated  in  olden 
times,  as  it  is  scarcely  mentioned  by  the  Roman  writers  on 
agriculture.  Some  who  are  most  explicit  in  other  matters 
pertaining  to  fruit-culture  do  not  mention  it,  while  Pliny, 
Ovid  and  Virgil  only  casually  refer  to  it,  and  this  reference 
is  not  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  its  culture. 

From  a  few  lines  in  one  of  those  old  works,  we  infer  that 
the  children  in  ancient  times  had  similar  tastes  to  those  of 
the  present,  and  that  they  found  no  day  so  hot,  or  hill  so 
steep,  as  to  deter  them  fro  en  seeking  the  little  gems  in  the 
tall  grass,  or  through  bramble  and  wood.  We,  who  were 
so  fortunate  as  to  spend  our  youthful  days  in  the  country, 
can  appreciate  the  following  lines  of  Virgil,  as  translated 
by  Warton,  as  they  touch  a  heart-string  whose  vibrations 
send  memory  back  to  joyful  days  in  the  past : 

"  Ye  boys  that  gather  flowers  and  strawberries, 
Lo,  hid  within  the  grass  a  serpent  lies." 

We  learn  from  the  ancient  writers  nothing  in  relation  to 
Strawberry  culture  that  is  of  any  practical  value.  We  are, 
therefore,  compelled  to  turn  to  those  of  modern  times  for 
any  reliable  information. 

There  are  facts  connected  with  the  history  of  the  Straw- 
berry that  it  is  important  for  us  to  know. 

For  instance,  from  what  country,  climate  or  situation 
were  certain  species  derived  ?  If  a  species  came  originally 
from  a  very  warm  country,  it  is  doubtful  if  it  will  ever  be 
10  well  adapted  to  a  cold  latitude  as  one  obtained  from  a 
climate  similar  to  the  one  in  which  it  is  to  be  cultivated. 

By  hybridizing,  we  may  so  intermingle  species  that  it 


84  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURI8T. 

will  be  difficult  to  tell  from  what  particular  source  they 
originated.  Yet,  if  there  be  any  feeble  or  tender  element 
in  their  composition,  it  will  be  constantly  showing  itselfj 
and  a  continual  source  of  annoyance  to  the  cultivator.  It 
is  for  this  reason  that  it  is  always  desirable  to  know  as 
much  of  the  history  and  origin  of  a  fruit  as  possible, 
specially  if  it  is  to  be  selected  as  the  parent  from  which 
aew  varieties  are  to  be  produced. 

There  are  instances  where  a  species  has  succeeded  better 
in  a  foreign  country  than  at  home ;  but  such  cases  are  only 
exceptional,  and  where  the  climates  are  similar,  or  the  spe» 
cies  naturally  had  a  very  wide  range  in  latitude. 

The  Strawberry  is  probably  more  widely  distributed  than 
any  other  plant  we  cultivate. 

The  Fragaria  vesca,  or  Alpine  Strawberry,  grows  in  the 
mountains  of  Greece  and  northward  to  Britain,  where,  in 
the  latter  country,  it  assumes  a  different  form,  and  is  there 
called  the  Wood  Strawberry. 

The  principal  difference  between  the  two  is  in  the 
form  of  the  fruit,  the  Alpine  being  conical,  while  the 
Wood  varieties  are  round.  The  Alpine  Strawberry  is  also 
a  native  of  North  America,  being  found  in  high  woods  and 
fields  in  most  of  the  Northern  States,  and  far  to  the  North 
in  the  Canadas.  There  appear  to  be  several  natural  varie- 
ties of  this  species  in  Europe,  which  have  been  known  for 
several  centuries.  In  1483,  the  garden  of  the  Bishop  of 
Ely,  at  Holborn,  in  England,  was  celebrated  for  its  excel- 
lent Strawberries.  They  were  probably  the  common  Wood 
Strawberries  of  the  country — one  with  red  fruit,  the  other 
white.  The  Alpines  were  introduced  into  England  some 
two  hundred  years  later.  There  are  two  original  varieties 
the  same  in  color  as  the  Wood  Strawberries.  There  are 
also  monthly  varieties,  and  those  which  do  not  produce 
runners. 

The  original  species  or  varieties  appear  to  persistently 
retain  their  normal  characteristics  under  all  the  varied 


STRAWBERRY.  89 

changes  which  they  have  been  subjected  to  in  cultivation, 
This  constancy  of  the  F.  vesca  may  account  for  the 
feet  that  no  advance,  of  any  importance,  was  made  in 
Strawberry  culture  in  Europe  until  other  and  more  variable, 
as  well  as  valuable,  species  were  introduced. 

In  1578,  Lyte,  hi  his  translation  of  "  Dodoens  Herball," 
mentions  only  the  Wood  Strawberry.  Gerarde,  in  1597, 
named  the  White  and  Red  Wood  Strawberry.  In  1623, 
Casper  Bauhin,  in  his  "  Pinax,"  mentions  the  White  and 
Red  Wood,  Alpine,  and  Hautboy  or  Haarbeer  Strawberries. 
Parkinson,  hi  his  Paradisus,  1629,  page  528,  says  that  there 
are  divers  sorts  in  cultivation,  and  names  the  Red  and 
White  Wood,  Green,  Virginia,  and  another  variety,  which 
he  called  the  Bohemian.  In  his  Theatrum  Botanicum,  is- 
sued in  1 640,  page  758,  he  mentions  a  variety  of  the  Al- 
pine, which,  he  says,  is  barren,  producing  no  fruit.  It  was 
probably  one  of  the  Potentillas,  and  not  a  Strawberry,  for 
he  also  describes  another  variety  which,  he  says,  has  yellow 
flowers,  and  the  seeds  are  in  a  dry,  compact  head,  and  the 
plant  has  smaller  leaves,  and  creeps  along  the  ground  with 
many  fine  stems. 

About  1660  a  Strawberry  grower  at  Montreuil,  in  France, 
is  said  to  have  produced  a  new  variety  from  the  seed  of  the 
Wood  Strawberry.  It  was  called  the  Cappron,  but  after- 
wards the  Fressant.  This  is  the  first  improved  variety  of 
which  we  have  any  account.  It  was  hi  cultivation  at  the 
time  that  Evelyn  translated  Quintinies  "  French  Gardiner," 
hi  1682;  also  mentioned  by  Duchesne,  about  a  hundred 
years  later. 

The  persistency  with  which  some  species  reproduce 
themselves  is  quite  remarkable,  but  not  more  so  than  the 
equally  great  variations  that  are  constantly  being  developed 
in  others. 

Those  species  from  which  we  have  produced  the  greatest 
number  of  valuable  varieties,  generally  show  the  greatest 
diversity  of  character  in  their  natural  or  normal  condition, 


86  SMALL  FEUTT  CULTUBIST. 

The  Virginian  Strawberry,  which  is  the  most  commoj 
Strawberry  of  our  woods  and  fields,  was  introduced  into 
England  early  in  the  seventeenth  century ;  but  little  atten- 
tion,  however,  was  paid  to  its  cultivation  for  nearly  or 
quite  one  hundred  years  thereafter.  But  as  soon  as  its 
valuable  qualities  were  discovered,  and  it  was  found  that 
by  merely  sowing  seeds  new  varieties,  greatly  differing 
from  the  parent,  were  readily  produced,  it  began  to  attract 
the  attention  of  fruit  growers,  and  received  the  care  it 
deserved. 

It  is  the  most  fragrant  of  all  known  species,  possessing 
a  delightful,  aromatic  perfume,  not  surpassed  by  any  other 
fruit.  It  is  a  robust  and  vigorous  grower,  withstanding 
the  severe  cold  of  our  northern  winters,  as  well  as  the 
burning  sun  of  summer.  It  assumes  very  distinct  charac- 
ters in  different  locations,  those  of  the  Western  States 
varying  considerably  from  those  of  the  Eastern,  so  much 
BO  that  the  varieties  grown  from  them  usually  retain  their 
peculiar  characteristics  through  an  almost  indefinite  num- 
ber of  generations. 

Among  the  varieties  in  cultivation  at  the  present  time 
we  can  recognize  many  whose  parentage  can  be  traced  to 
the  western  plants,  while  others  are  unmistakably  from 
those  of  the  Eastern  States.  I  will  name  a  few  of  each  class, 
and  those  who  are  acquainted  with  them  will  more  readily 
recognize  their  peculiar  characters  than  they  could  from 
any  descriptions  which  I  might  give — only  premising 
that  the  western  class,  as  a  rule,  produce  the  largest,  soft- 
est, and  most  acid  fruit. 

The  best  known  of  the  western  type  are :  Austin,  Iowa, 
Downer's  Prolific,  Green  Prolific,  General  Scott,  and 
Victory. 

Of  the  eastern  type,  Early  Scarlet,  Jenny  Lind,  Scott's 
Seedling,  Boston  Pine,  Brighton  Pine,  &c. 

The  various  forms  observed  in  the  F.  Vlrginiana  in  dif 
ferent  portions  of  the  country,  have  given  rise  to  much  dia 


8TBAWHERBY.  87 

mission  as  to  whether  all  these  vanations  should  be  classed 
as  one  species,  or  separated  into  different  ones.  Dr. 
Asy  Gray  classes  them  all  as  one  species,  and  he  is  un- 
doubtedly correct. 

A  few  would-be  authorities  will  not  acknowledge  that  a 
species  can  possibly  be  variable,  and  still  be  the  same. 
Consequently  we  often  see  long  essays  from  such  men,  in 
which  the  F.  Virginiana  is  divided  into  numerous  species, 
such  as  F.  Illinoiensis,  F.  lowaensis,  &c.  We  might  with 
as  much  propriety  separate  our  American  chestnut  into 
innumerable  species,  for  there  is  as  great  difference  in  the 
nuts  and  growth  of  the  tree  as  is  to  be  found  in  the  com- 
mon Strawberry. 

Free  discussion  in  scientific  matters  is  to  a  certain  extent 
beneficial;  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  present  or  fu- 
ture generations  will  be  benefited  by  such  dissertations  aH 
frequently  appear  in  some  of  our  rural  periodicals  or  in 
our  agricultural  reports,  purporting  to  come  from  intelli- 
gent men,  while  the  fact  is  apparent  to  every  one  who  has 
the  least  knowledge  on  the  subject  of  which  they  treat, 
that  said  articles  are  a  mass  of  errors,  and  the  authors 
write  for  other  purposes  than  those  of  giving  information 
to  the  people. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  Virginia  Strawberry  had  no 
successful  rival  in  English  gardens,  though  it  was  never  so 
highly  appreciated  in  Britain  as  here,  from  the  fact  that  it 
is  more  acid  and  not  so  highly  flavored  in  the  moist  cool 
climate  of  that  country  as  in  our  own. 

The  introduction  of  the  South  American  species  (JP" 
grandiflora)  gave  a  new  impetus  to  Strawberry  culture  in 
Europe. 

The  fruit  is  naturally  much  larger  and  sweeter  than  any 
of  the  other  species,  consequently  it  does  not  require  so 
much  heat  to  develop  its  saccharine  qualities.  That  pe- 
suliur  aromatic  sprightliness,  which  is  such  a  prominent 


88  SMALL  FRUIT  (JULTURIST. 

feature  in  the  F.  Virgmiana,  is,  however,  almost  entirely 
wanting  in  other  species. 

The  same  dissecting  process  has  been  applied  to  th€ 
South  American  species  as  to  our  northern  one,  and  it  is 
sometimes  called  F.  Chiliensis,  F.  JBonariensis,  &c. — the 
name  usually  indicating  the  place  from  which  the  supposed 
distinct  species  was  derived.  That  the  different  varieties 
discovered  in  the  various  portions  of  the  country  are  quite 
distinct,  every  one  who  is  acquainted  with  them  will  admit. 
Yet  these  variations  are  no  greater  than  have  already 
been  mentioned  in  those  of  other  species. 

The  first  account  we  have  of  the  South  American  Straw- 
berry is  in  1716,  when  M.  Frezier,  hi  his  voyage  to  the 
South  Sea,  found  it  at  the  foot  of  the  Cordillera  Mountains, 
near  Quito,  and  carried  it  home  to  Marseilles,  in  France. 

It  was  at  that  time  called  the  Chili  Strawberry,  and  the 
Spaniards  said  that  they  had  previously  brought  it  from 
Mexico. 

"We  do  not  learn  from  any  of  the  old  French  works  that 
any  new  varieties  were  raised  from  the  Chili  Strawberry 
for  at  least  fifty  years  after  its  introduction.  Duchesne,  in 
1766,  says  "  that  Miller  considered  its  cultivation  as  aban- 
doned in  England  on  account  of  its  sterility."  The  impor- 
tations from  other  portions  of  South  America  appear  to 
have  met  with  better  success,  and  about  fifty  years  ago 
new  varieties  of  the  F.  grandiflora^  as  well  as  of  the  Yir- 
giniana,  became  quite  abundant  in  England  and  on  the 
Continent. 

At  the  present  time  the  varieties  of  F.  grand i flora  appeal 
to  be  valued  more  highly  in  Europe  than  any  other — at  least 
we  judge  so  from  the  fact  that  almost  all  of  the  new  varie* 
ties  imported  of  late  years  show  more  of  the  characteristics 
ot  this  species  than  of  others.  This  may  account  for  the 
failure  of  so  many  of  the  new  foreign  varieties  in  the 
Northern  States.  The  severe  cold  of  our  winters,  and  om 


STRAWBERRY.  89 

dry,  hot  gammers,  are  two  extremes  that  they  cannot  with- 
stand. 

Occasionally  we  receive  a  variety  which,  by  extra  care 
and  protection  in  winter,  will  produce  a  large  crop ;  but, 
as  a  whole,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  Strawberry  growers 
in  the  United  States  have  been  permanently  benefited  by 
the  introduction  of  any  of  the  new  varieties  raised  from 
the  grandiflora.  They  may  have  awakened  a  taste  for 
more  thorough  experiments  in  Strawberry  culture,  and  by 
hybridizing  them  with  our  more  hardy  kinds  produced 
new  ones  of  real  value. 

SEXUALITY    OF    THE    STRAWBERRY. 

Naturally  the  Strawberry  flower  possesses  stamens  and 
pistils;  it  is  therefore  perfect,  as  both  of  these  organs  are 
necessary  for  the  production  of  fruit.  Every  botanist,  from 
Linnaeus  down  to  the  present  time,  has  described  the 
Strawberry  flower  as  perfect  or  bi-sexual. 

Therefore,  to  assume  that  this  is  not  the  normal  charac- 
ter (as  a  few  writers  of  late  have  done)  is  to  controvert  all 
of  our  botanical  authorities,  and  charge  them  with  over- 
looking that  which  the  most  casual  observer  could  have 
seen.  When  plants  are  taken  from  their  native  habitat* 
and  placed  under  cultivation,  they  very  often  assume  formd 
juite  different  from  their  natural  ones.  Sometimes  a  par- 
ticular organ  is  suppressed,  while  others  are  enlarged ;  thus 
we  have  the  pistillate  Strawberry  and  the  double  rose. 

Occasionally  the  seeds  of  domesticated  plants  are  carried 
by  birds  or  animals  to  woods  and  fields  quite  distant 
from  the  garden  in  which  they  are  cultivated,  and  if  per- 
cliauce  they  are  deposited  under  favorable  conditions  they 
irill  produce  fruit  similar  to  that  from  which  they  ori- 
ginated. If  we  find  a  pistillate  Strawberry  or  double  rose 
growing  wild,  does  it  prove  that  these  are  the  normal  char- 
acters of  the  genus  ?  Far  from  it ;  \>ut  it  only  shows  that 


40 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 


plants  are  susceptible  of  change  under  certain  circumstances, 
and  especially  when  these 
are  not  perfectly  natural. 

The  Strawberry  be- 
longs to  the  same  great 
natural  family  as  the  rose, 
but  when  placed  under 
those  artificial  circum- 
stances to  which  it  is 
subjected  when  cultivat- 
ed, instead  of  becoming 
double,  (although  semi- 
double  varieties  are  occa- 
sionally produced,)  the 
stamens  are  sometimes  Fig.  H.-PERFECT  FLOWER. 

suppressed,  and  varieties  are  produced  with  flowers  con- 
taining pistils  only. 


Fig.  12. — PERFECT   FLOWER  ENLARGED. 

Figure  11  shows  what  is  termed  a  perfect  or  bi-sexual 
flower.     The  pistils  are  in  the  center,  while  around  them 


STRAWBERRY. 


are  some  twenty  or  more  organs,  which  are  called  stamens. 
These  are  quite  different  in  appearance  from  the  pistils,  be- 
ing longer,  and  each  one  is  terminated  by  a  small  knob, 
which  is  called  the  anther.  The  anthers  contain  pollen,  a 


Fig.  13. — SECTION  OP  PERFECT  FLOWER. 

substance  that  is  necessary  for  the  production  of  seed.  In 
figure  12  is  shown  the  same  flower  as  in  figure  11,  but,  be 
ing  considerably  enlarged,  the  stamens  are  more  readily 
seen.  The  same  flower  is  shown  in  figure  13,  divided  longi- 
tudinally to  show  the  parts  still  more  distinctly,  and  their 
relative  positions. 

Every  so-called  seed  of  the  Strawberry  has  one  pistil 
situated  on  its  apex ;  consequently  it  is  a 
very  important  organ,  inasmuch  as  it  is 
through  this  channel  that  the  influence  of 
the  pollen  reaches  the  ovule  or  seed  vessel. 

The  stamens  are  situated  on  the  calyx, 
and  they  may  be  artificially  removed  or 
suppressed  by  nature,  in  which  case  we 
have  a  pistillate  flower  which  will  produce 
fruit,  if  the  pistils  are  fertilized  from 
another  flower.  It  is  not  important 
whether  a  flower  produces  its  own  pol- 
len or  is  supplied  from  another  source. 

Figure  14  shows  a  pistillate  flower  of 
the  usual  size,  and  in  figure  15  the  same  enlarged.  By  com- 
paring these  with  the  two  preceding  the  difference  may 
readily  be  observed. 


Fig.    14.— PISTIL- 
LATE  FLOWERS. 


42  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUBIST. 

The  size  of  these  is  also  variable ;  sometimes  they  are 


Fig.  15.— PISTILLATE  FLOWER  ENLARGED. 

considerably  larger  than  those  shown  as  of  natural  size. 

The  flowers  of  Fragaria  grandiflora  are  larger  than 
those   of   other    species,   and 
sometimes  they  have  seven  pe- 
tals,  as    shown  in  figure    16, 
while  five  is  the  usual  number. 

Another  variation  from  the 
natural  form,  although  very 
rarely  seen,  is  that  of  flowers 
without  any  pistils.  These, 
of  course,  produce  no  fruit, 
and  they  are  nothing  more  nor 
less  than  degenerated  or  de- 
formed specimens,  and  are  not 
worthy  of  notice  further  than 

to  show  the  peculiar  changes  Fig'  16-FLOWE*  WITH  7 
that   sometimes   occur  in   cultivated  plants. 

The  foregoing  are  the  principal  forms  noticed  in  both 


STRAWBERRY.  43 

wild  and  cultivated  varieties,  but  there  are  various  grada- 
tions from  each  of /these ;  for,  while  the  natural  flower  gen- 
erally contains  about  twenty  stamens,  some  cultivated 
varieties  have  less  than  half  that  number,  while  others,  aa 
[  have  shown,  possess  none.  Consequently,  if  a  variety  i» 
produced  which  has  flowers  destitute  of  stamens,  it  will  be 
dependent  upon  others  for  fertilization.  Many  such  have 
from  time  to  time  been  produced  and  disseminated  in  the 
last  fifty  years.  That  some  seedlings  produced  perfect 
flowers,  while  others  have  those  that  are  imperfect,  was  ob- 
served in  Europe  at  least  a  hundred  years  ago.  This  pecu- 
liarity was  first  observed  in  the  seedlings  of  the  Hautbois, 
but  afterwards  in  the  seedlings  of  other  species,  although 
it  does  not  appear  to  be  of  so  common  occurrence  in  Eu- 
rope as  in  the  United  States. 

The  reas*.  n  for  this  I  am  not  able  to  state,  unless  it  be 
because  the  Fragaria  Virginiana,  from  which  the  greater 
portion  of  our  varieties  is  produced,  is  more  subject  to 
the  change  than  other  species.  It  may  be  that  our  climate 
has  something  to  do  with  it,  but  whatever  may  be  the 
cause,  the  effect  is  apparent  in  many  pistillate  varieties  of 
Strawberries  in  cultivation. 

Keen  reported  his  observations  upon  this  variation  in  the 
sexes  of  the  Strawberry,  in  1809,  to  the  London  Horticul- 
tural Society.  This  called  the  attention  of  growers  in  thia 
country  to  the  subject,  but  very  little  was  said  or  written 
in  relation  to  it  until  Mr.  Hovey  produced  his  seedling 
Strawberry  in  1834. 

This  being  a  pistillate,  and  the  largest  and  best  variety 
that  had  been  as  yet  produced  in  this  country,  it  gave  rise 
to  an  immense  amount  of  discussion  upon  the  sexuality  of 
the  Strawberry.  There  appear  to  be  a  few  men  who  are 
always  ready  to  ride  any  new  hobby,  whether  it  has  one 
leg  or  more.  Consequently  there  were  a  few  who  imme- 
diately started  the  theory  that  the  botanists  had  made  a 
great  mistake,  and  that  the  Strawberry  was  naturally  di 


44  SMALL  FKUIT  CULTUKIST 

(Bceons,  I  e.,  one  plant  bearing  staminate  flowers  and  thi 
other  pistillate  ones. 

Considerable  excitement  was  created  in  consequence,  and 
communications  innumerable  upon  the  subject  were  poured 
into  our  horticultural  journals,  each  writer  claiming  to 
have  discovered  something  new  in  regard  this,  to  them, 
wonderful  phenomenon. 

One  writer  has  for  the  past  ten  years  or  more,  almost 
annually,  given  the  public  a  grand  diagnosis  of  the  case, 
asserting  that  the  pistillate  varieties  were  the  only  ones  to 
be  depended  upon  for  a  large  crop,  and  that  they  were 
naturally  the  most  productive,  while  the  facts  are  that  there 
are  hundreds  of  perfect  flowering  kinds  in  cultivation  tfrat 
are  fully  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  most  productive  pis- 
tillates.  That  we  have  many  very  excellent  varieties 
among  this  latter  class  no  one  will  deny,  but  that,  as  a 
whole,  they  are  any  better  than  the  others  cannot  be  sub- 
stantiated by  facts. 

There  is  but  one  serious  objection  to  the  pistillate  varie- 
ties, and  that  is,  two  kindts  must  be  grown  to  insure  a  crop 
from  one,  or  a  perfect  flowering  variety  must  be  grown 
near  a  pistillate  to  fertilize  its  flowers,  or  no  fruit  will  be 
produced.  This  is  imperatively  necessary ;  consequently 
the  close  proximity  of  the  two  kinds  has  led  to  much  con- 
fusion, inasmuch  as  the  runners  of  the  two  are  very  liable 
to  intermingle,  unless  great  care  is  exercised  to  prevent  it 
I  have  usually  found  it  more  difficult  to  get  pure  plants  o# 
the  pistillate  varieties  than  of  the  others,  and  the  excue* 
given  by  the  grower  for  the  mixture  was  that  the  variety 
grown  for  tne  purpose  of  fertilizing  them  had  become  in 
termingled.  If  this  is  the  only  reason,  it  is  certainly  * 
very  lame  one,  as  there  is  no  necessity  for  the  plants  be- 
ing mixed,  because  setting  the  two  kinds  in  adjacent  beda 
will  answer  every  purpose. 

But  without  presuming  to  advance  a  theory  on  the  sul> 
ject,  I  would  suggest  whether  it  is  not  possible 


STRAWBEBfrt.  40 

tions  may  have  been  made  on  growing  plants  by  the  influ- 
ence of  the  pollen  from  different  varieties.  It  is  generally 
supposed  that  no  effect  is  produced  except  on  the  seeds,  but 
as  it  is  most  conclusively  proved  in  animal  physiology  that 
the  female  retains  the  effect  of  the  first  impregnation  in  her 
system  for  years,  may  not  the  same  be  true  of  plants,  and 
the  admixture  or  deterioration  of  one,  and  the  improve- 
ment of  another  kind  growing  in  close  proximity,  be  caused 
by  the  absorption  of  qualities  each  from  the  other  ? 

If  the  effect  of  the  pollen  reaches  no  further  than  the 
seeds,  why  is  not  the  fruit  (receptacle)  produced  without 
them.  But  we  find  that  wherever  the  pistils  are  not  fer- 
tilized the  receptacle  also  fails,  or  if  a  portion  only  is  sup- 
plied with  pollen  then  the  receptacle  is  deformed  in  pro- 
portion. Remove  one,  two,  or  more  pistils  before  they 
are  fertilized,  and  the  berry,  jusi  at  that  point,  fails  to  en- 
large or  come  to  maturity.  No  seeds,  no  berry,  is  the  rule. 

If  the  Strawberry  seed  was  large  enough  to  be  readily 
examined,  we  should  probably  see  a  difference  in  color  and 
form  just  as  we  notice  in  mixed  varieties  of  corn.  In  the 
latter  we  can  see  that  the  influence  of  cross  fertilization 
extends  further  than  the  seed,  because  its  receptacle  (cob) 
is  often  changed  beneath  the  kernel  to  a  color  similar  to 
that  of  the  variety  which  produced  the  pollen. 

It  is  often  asserted  that  the  Hovey  is  better  when  fertil- 
ized with  one  kind  than  with  another,  and  may  not  this  be 
true  further  than  that  of  being  fully  supplied  with  pollen  ? 

Strawberry  culture  would  probably  have  been  just  as 
far  advanced  if  we  had  never  had  a  pistillate  variety  in 
cultivation,  and  much  confusion  would  have  been  avoided, 
Had  not  Mr.  Hovey  produced  so  good  a  pistillate  variety 
as  he  did,  it  is  very  likely  that  such  kinds  would  have  never 
been  tolerated  by  fruit  growers  anywhere.  But  the  advent 
of  this  variety  gave  a  new  impetus  to  Strawberry  culture, 
and  at  the  present  time  it  is  considered  in  some  sections  ai 
a  standard  market  fruit. 


40  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUBI8T. 

Another  important  consideration  in  cultivating  pistillate 
varieties  is  to  grow  as  a  fertilizer  a  kind  that  produces  an 
abundance  of  pollen ;  besides  that  the  two  should  bloom  at 
the  same  time. 

STRUCTURE    OF    THE    PLANTS. 

All  the  varieties  and  species  of  the  Strawberry  have  a 
family  resemblance ;  still  there  is  considerable  difference  in 
the  form  and  structure.  Some  produce  large  stools,  while 
others  naturally  divide  into  individual  plants.  One  of  the 
prominent  features  of  the  Strawberry  is  to  multiply  by 
runners ;  yet  among  the  Alpine  or  Wood  species  we  have 
varieties  which  produce  none  or  very  sparingly.  There- 
fore it  is  apparent  that  the  different  forms  will  require  dif- 
ferent treatment.  Some  have  long,  slender,  wiry  roots, 
while  others  have  very  short,  fleshy  ones,  each  of  which 
require  a  soil  suited  to  their  growth,  if  the  very  highest 
development  is  obtained. 

Our  native  varieties,  particularly  those  grown  from  the 
F.  Virginiana,  have  longer  and  more  wiry  roots  than 
those  grown  from  the  F.  grandiflora.  Consequently 
they  are  better  suited  to  field  cultivation,  and  where  the 
soil  is  not  frequently  stirred,  or  upon  light  soil,  the  roots  will 
spread  further  in  search  of  food  and  they  are  not  so 
readily  affected  by  drouth. 

There  is  another  peculiarity  in  the  form  of  the  roota 
which  is  worthy  of  attention.  The  native  Strawberry 
produces  stools,  but  the  crowns,  instead  of  adhering  to- 
gether, often  separate  as  they  become  old,  each  producing 
roots  for  self-support. 

To  show  more  fully  the  peculiar  form  usually  observed 
In  the  varieties  of  the  F.  Virginiana  and  F.  grandiflora 
I  have  inserted  the  two  following  illustrations  taken  from 
the  Strawberry  Culturist. 

Figure  17  is  an  exact  representation,  half  size,  of  a  plant 
of  the  Boston  Pine  that  is  three  years  old.  While  it 


STRAWBERRY. 


Fig.  17.— OLT>  PLANT  OF  BOSTON  PINI. 


18  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUBIST. 

shows  a  number  of  crowns,  there  are  not  more  than  two 
united  on  one  stem.  Varieties  of  this  class  naturally  di 
vide,  and  do  not  form  large  or  very  compact  stools  ;  con* 
sequently  the  crowns  remain  more  nearly  on  the  level  of 
tfhe  surface  than  when  they  are  united,  as  seen  is  figure  18, 
which  represents  a  plant  of  Triomphe  de  Gand  of  the 
same  age  as  the  other. 

A,  C  and  D  represent  the  side  crowns,  and  B  the  cen- 
tral one ;  E,  the  old  fruit  stalk  of  the  present  season ;  F, 
P,  new  roots  starting  from  the  base  of  the  side  crowns 
above  the  soil.  In  this  variety  the  crowns  are  produced 
almost  on  the  top  of  the  old  ones ;  consequently  the  plants 
are  continually  becoming  higher,  until,  at  last,  the  new 
roots  cannot  reach  the  soil,  and  the  plant  languishes  and 
dies.  Although  the  Strawberry  root  is  perennial,  still 
one  new  root  is  of  more  importance  to  the  plant  than  a 
dozen  old  ones.  The  difference  in  the  structure  of  the 
two  plants  suggests  the  need  of  a  peculiar  cultivation  for 
aach,  and  by  experience  we  have  learned  that  many  of 
our  native  varieties  will  remain  productive  for  many  years, 
even  when  allowed  to  grow  without  cultivation,  while 
very  few  of  the  varieties  of  F.  grandiflora  will  succeed 
under  similar  treatment. 

To  keep  a  succession  of  new  roots  and  continued  vigor 
for  a  number  of  years,  those  varieties  with  roots  similar 
to  the  Triomphe  should  be  grown  in  rows  or  hills,  so  that 
fresh  soil  may  be  drawn  up  to  the  plants  when  required. 
I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  advocating  the  cultiva- 
tion of  plants  for  a  long  time  without  removal,  but  throw 
out  these  hints  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  frequent  re- 
movals are  more  necessary  with  some  than  with  others. 

PROPAGATION. 

There  are  three  modes  of  propagating  the  Strawberry 
in  use  at  the  present  time,  viz. :  seeds,  runners  and  divi? 
gions  of  the  roots. 


STRAWBERRY. 


49 


'.  18.— OLD  PLANT  OF  TBIOMPHB  DB  GAND. 


3 


M)  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTUBIST, 

BY  SEED. — To  obtain  seeds,  the  fruit  should  be  gath 
ered  when  fully  ripe,  spread  out  and  dried,  thus  preserving 
it  in  the  pulp ;  or  the  fruit  may  be  crushed  in  water  and 
the  seeds  washed  out  cleanly.  The  good  seeds  will  sink 
and  the  pulp  will  remain  on  the  surface,  from  which  it  car 
be  readily  removed. 

The  seeds  may  be  sown  immediately,  or  kept  until  the 
next  spring. 

The  plan  which  I  have  usually  adopted  in  raising  seed 
lings  is  as  follows  : 

Gather  the  largest  berries  of  the  very  best  varieties  to  be 
obtained,  then  mix  them  with  dry  sand,  crushing  the  fruit, 
and  so  thoroughly  manipulating  the  mass  that  no  two 
seeds  will  remain  together.  Then  sow  the  sand  contain' 
ing  ',!ie  seed,  either  i'n  some  half  shady  situation  in  the 
open  ground,  or  in  pots  or  boxes.  The  soil  in  which  they 
are  sown  should  be  light  and  friable,  and  the  seeds  not 
covered  more  than  one-quarter  of  an  inch  deep.  Keep 
the  soil  moist,  and  the  plants  will  usually  begin  to  appear 
jn  four  to  six  weeks  after  sowing.  When  they  have 
formed  four  or  five  leaves  they  may  be  transplanted  into 
the  open  ground — if  they  have  been  started  in  pots  or 
boxes.  When  sown  in  the  open  ground,  it  is  best  to  let 
them  remain  in  the  seed-bed  until  the  following  spring, 
protecting  them  with  straw,  leaves  or  other  similar  ma- 
terial in  winter.  Transplant  into  rows  at  least  two  feet 
apart,  and  the  same  distance  in  the  row ;  keep  off  all  run- 
iers  the  first  season  and  hoe  often. 

Occasionally  a  seedling  will  produce  fruit  the  second 
season — that  is,  plants  started  in  the  autumn  will  fruit  the 
next  spring ;  but  they  will  not  be  strong  enough  to  bear 
fruit  that  will  be  a  reliable  indication  of  their  future  value. 
It  is  best  to  protect  the  plants  the  first  and  second  winters, 
if  no  longer,  so  that  they  will  have  nothing  to  obstruct 
their  full  development.  The  third  season,  look  over  the 
plants  very  carefully  when  >n  bloom,  and  mark  the  sex  of 


STRAWBERRY.  61 

*ach,  BO  that  it  shall  be  known  when  the  fruit  is  ripe 
whether  the  flowers  are  pistillate  or  perfect.  When  a 
variety  has  been  produced  that  promises  well,  it  should  be 
carefully  taken  up  and  planted  by  itself,  that  its  runners 
may  have  an  opportunity  of  taking  root  without  inter- 
mingling with  others. 

The  plant  may  be  removed  just  so  soon  as  the  character 
of  the  fruit  is  determined  upon,  always  choosing  a  wet 
day  if  convenient ;  if  not,  give  the  soil  about  the  plant 
a  good  soaking,  and  then  remove  it  with  as  much  soil  ad- 
hering as  possible.  Shade  it  a  few  days  after  removal  to 
prevent  its  wilting. 

I  would  caution  the  novice  not  to  be  too  sanguine  about 
tfie  value  of  new  seedlings,  because  they  will  very  often 
appear  much  better  the  first  season  than  ever  after. 

A  few  years  since  I  raised  a  large  number  of  seedlings, 
and  when  ripe,  a  committee  of  six  very  competent  gentle- 
men  was  appointed  by  the  Farmers'  Club  of  the  Ameri- 
can Institute  to  examine  and  report  upon  them.  Seventy 
varieties  were  marked  and  described  as  very  promising 
and  worthy  of  further  trial.  Seventy  beds  were  very 
thoroughly  prepared,  and  each  original  plant  carefully 
placed  in  the  center  of  one  of  these  beds.  About  a  dozen 
runners  were  allowed  to  grow  from  each  plant,  and  all 
others  removed.  The  next  season  the  same  committee 
examined  them  again,  and  they  reduced  the  number  to 
seven.  These  were  given  more  room  and  continued  care 
until  another  season,  when  the  number  was  reduced  to 
three. 

I  give  this  as  the  result  of  only  one  experiment ;  others 
might  be  given  with  similar  results.  It  is  a  very  easy 
matter  to  originate  new  varieties,  but  to  get  one  that  shall 
be  superior,  or  even  equal,  to  the  best  now  in  cultivation, 
IB  not  so  readily  accomplished  as  some  may  suppose. 

I  would  advise  every  one  to  try,  because  there  is  a 
chance  of  producing  one  that  will  be  better  adapted  to 


V2  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUBIOT. 

tho  grower's  soil  or  location  than  any  that  could  be  pro 
duced  elsewhere. 

PROPAGATION    BY    RUNNERS. 

The  varieties  mainly  cultivated  in  this  country  are 
propagated  from  tin-  runners.  The  first  produced  are 
nsually  the  strongest  and  best  for  early  planting,  but 
those  that  are  formed  later  in  tho  season  are  equally  as  good 
when  they  arrive  at  tho  same  age  or  size.  A  few  theorist  * 
have  maintained  th:it  tho  first  plants  formed  near  tho 
parent  stool  were  the  only  ones  that  should  be  used,  and 
that  they  were  far  superior  to  the  others,  and  wovld  al- 
ways be  more  prolific.  This  assertion  is  not  supported  by 
facts ;  consequently  is  not  worthy  of  a  moment's  thought. 
To  insure  the  rooting  of  runners,  the  surface  of  the  soil 
should  be  kept  loose  and  open,  and  if  the  weather  is  very 
dry  at  tho  time  they  are  forming,  it  is  well  to  go  over  the 
beds  and  cover  the  new  roots  as  they  are  produced. 
When  only  a  few  very  large  and  strong  plants  are  wanted, 
It  is  well  to  pinch  off  tho  runner  just  beyond  the  first 
plant,  that  this  may  become  strong  and  vigorous. 

POT  PLANTS. 
In  tin-  Iir4  edition  of  this  work  I  stated  that  it  was  a 

plan,  in  order  In  insure  the  safe  removal  <>f  (he  riui- 
m  r  .  In  piling,,  pi. is  tilled  with  rich  soil  in  tin-  ln-ds,  and 
lot  tho  roots  strike  into  UK-ID,  I  lien,  when  well  rnnled,  I  he 
VIMIII.LT  plants  could  he  taken  up  and  removed  with  perfect 
safety,  This  hint,  sooms  to  have  led  our  strawberry  grow- 
ors  to  introduce  the  pot-^rown  or  layered  plants,  as  a 
distinct  feature  m  (!„.,,-  lmsm0S8,  and  for  the  past  few 
years  tho  merits  of  plants  thus  propagated  ha\e  lieen 
highly  extolled  in  nurserymen's  catalogues.  To  propagate 
plant^  in  I  In  manner  [g  errlamlv  far  more  e \pensi\e  than 
to  allow  the  runners  to  lake  root  in  the  ordinary  way,  :ind 
without  assistance  on  tho  part  of  the  cultivator,  and  they 


STRAWBERRY.  53 

arc  also  worth  more  because  less  liable  to  fail  when  trans- 
planted or  transported  to  any  considerable  distance.  It 
is  true  that  the  pot-grown  plants  will  yield  a  moderate 
crop  the  following  season,  an  advantage  which  amateur 
cultivators  appreciate  far  more  highly  than  do  those  who 
Cultivate  fruit  for  market ;  but  it  is  a  question  if  the  few 
boiTUis  thus  obtained  are  really  worth  the  extra  price 
asked,  and  the  care  required  to  produce  them.  This, 
however,  is  a  matter  for  the  purchasers  of  plants  to  de- 
cide ;  the  propagator's  province  is  to  supply  whatever  is 
in  demand.  Any  small  plants  which  have  not  produced 
sufficient  roots  to  insure  their  safety  during  winter,  may 
be  taken  up  and  set  in  cold  frames,  where  the  roots  will 
continue  to  grow  until  the  soil  is  frozen. 

The  richer  and  better  the  soil,  the  more  rapid  will  be 
the  production  of  roots,  whether  in  frames  or  in  the  open 
ground.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  cover  the  surface  of  the  soil 
with  fine  pure  manure  before  the  runners  start  in  spring. 
The  runners  draw  their  sustenance  from  the  parent  plant 
until  they  have  formed  roots  of  their  own,  but  these  roots 
should  find  food  soon  after  they  are  emitted.  If  the  beds 
can  bo  watered,  it  will  insure  the  rapid  emission  of  roots, 

PROPAGATION  BY  ROOT  DIVISIONS. 

This  mode  is  seldom  practised  except  with  the  Bush 
Alpine  Strawberries,  which  produce  few  or  no  runners. 
In  the  early  spring,  take  up  the  stools  and  divide  them, 
leaving  only  one  crown  to  the  plant.  If  the  old  root  is 
very  long,  it  is  best  to  cut  off  the  lower  end,  and  plant 
as  deep  as  can  be  done  without  covering  the  leaves. 

SOIL  AND  SITUATION. 

No  one  kind  of  soil  is  equally  well  adapted  to  every  va- 
riety. A  deep,  rich,  sandy  loam  is  moit  generally  recom- 
mended, and  is  perhaps  on  the  whole  the  best. 

Still  a  light  sand  or  heavy  clay  may  bo  made,  with  a 
very  little  expense,  to  produce  abundant  crops. 


54  SMALL    FRUIT   CULTtJBIST. 

A  deep  soil,  whether  it  be  naturally  light  or  heavy,  is 
one  of  the  requisites  imperatively  demanded  by  the 
Strawberry.  If  the  soil  is  naturally  very  wet,  it  may  re- 
quire underdraining ;  but  there  are  few  farms  on  which  a 
situation  may  not  be  found  where  deep  plowing  will  not 
render  the  soil  suitable  for  a  Strawberry  bed.  Thorough 
preparation  of  the  soil  is  the  very  foundation  of  success, v 
therefore  no  slovenly  system— such,  as  once  plowing  and 
harrowing — should  be  t&lerated  ;  Vzt  the  ground  should 
not  only  be  plowed,  but  cross-plowed,  and  if  not  natural- 
ly deep  and  friable,  it  should  be  subsoiled  at  least  sixteen 
inches  deep.  If  the  cultivator  will  only  bear  in  mind  that 
one  acre  prepared  in  the  best  manner  will  produce  more 
fruit  than  three  or  four  acres  fitted  as  is  usually  done,  he 
will  understand  the  importance  of  doing  it  well. 

There  is  not  one  acre  of  Strawberries  in  a  thousand, 
that  yields  over  one-half  that  it  would  if  the  ground  was 
properly  prepared  before  planting.  It  is  with  Strawberries 
as  with  other  fruits — too  many  acres  and  too  little  care. 

The  situation  should  be  open  and  airy,  because  in  such 
there  is  less  danger  of  injury  by  late  spring  frosts. 

To  secure  early  ripening,  a  southern  exposure  is  pref- 
erable, and  for  a  late  crop  a  northern  one.  By  planting 
the  earliest  varieties  in  a  warm  situation,  and  the  latest 
in  a  cool  one,  the  season  may  be  considerably  lengthened. 

MANURES. 

The  Strawberry  is  not  very  particular  as  to  the  kind  of 
manure  it  receives,  provided  it  is  in  sufficient  quantities. 
To  tell  a  man  who  cultivates  the  Strawberry  on  the  rich 
prairie  soil  of  the  West  that  he  must  apply  manure  to  his 
soil  before  planting,  would  be  considered  a  very  foolish 
recommendation  ;  but  to  undertake  to  grow  them  on  al- 
most any  of  our  eastern  lands  without  it  would  be  equally 
absurd.  In  fact,  most  of  our  fruit  growers  in  the  Eastern 
States  determine- their  profits  in  advance,  simply  by  the 


STRAWBERRY.  65 

amount  of  manure  applied  to  the  soil — the  more  abundant 
the  application  the  greater  the  profits. 

All  plants  require  food,  and  it  is  evident  that  if  it  is  not 
in  the  soil  it  must  be  placed  there,  or  no  satisfactory  re- 
sults will  be  obtained.  In  the  Eastern  States  we  gather 
fruit  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  plant-food  which  we 
place  in  the  soil. 

Old  and  thoroughly  decomposed  barn-yard  manure  is 
scarcely  to  be  excelled  for  the  Strawberry.  But  it  is  often 
the  case  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  this  cannot  be  ob- 
tained, and  if  so,  then  the  next  best  thing  to  be  done  is 
to  make  a  compost  of  barn-yard  manure  and  muck,  leaves 
or  sods,  using  one  load  of  manure  and  two  of  either  of 
the  others.  Mix  them  together,  and  let  them  remain  in 
heap  for  three  months  or  more,  not  forgetting  to  turn  it 
over  at  least  once  a  month. 

In  heavy  soils  fresh  manure  may  be  used  without  injury, 
and  if  a  liberal  application  of  peat  or  light  friable  muck  is 
given  it  will  be  very  beneficial.  In  sandy  soils  a  compost 
of  muck  and  manure  is  one  of  the  best  fertilizers  that  can 
be  applied.  In  fact,  pure  muck  from  the  swamps,  placed 
where  it  can  be  frequently  stirred,  will  become  in  one 
season  suitable  to  be  applied  directly  to  the  roots  of  al- 
most any  plant. 

If  lime,  ashes,  spent  hops  from  the  breweries,  castor 
pomace  or  any  similar  materials  be  added,  even  in  small 
quantities,  it  will  assist  very  much  in  its  decomposition 
and  fitting  it  for  the  u«e  of  plants.  There  are  thousands 
of  acres  of  land  in  the  Eastern  States  that  are  now  pro- 
ducing nothing,  not  even  weeds,  because  manure  cannot 
be  obtained  in  sufficient  quantities  to  make  them  fertile, 
and  yet  in  many  instances  these  very  acres  are  bordered 
with  muck-beds  which  are  nothing  more  or  less  than  inex- 
kaustible  deposits  of  manure. 

The  time  is  probably  not  far  distant  when  these  minei 


56  SMALL   FRUIT  CIJLTURI8T. 

of  wealth  will  be  worked  to  an  extent  not  dreamed  of  at 
the  present  time. 

Concentrated  manures — such  as  bone,  guano,  poudrette, 
&c. — are  sometimes  used  upon  the  Strawberry  with  good 
results.  It  requires  some  care  in  their  application,  or  the 
plants  are  liable  to  be  injured  thereby. 

Ashes  are  also  valuable,  particularly  on  sandy  soils. 
They  may  be  applied  by  scattering  upon  the  surface  at 
the  rate  of  from  ten  to  twenty  bushels  per  acre.  A  far 
more  preferable  mode  is  to  compost  them  with  muck  or 
leaf  mold  from  the  woods,  but  they  should  never  be 
mixed  with  manure,  for  they  will  cause  it  to  give  off,  in 
the  form  of  gases,  the  very  materials  which  should  be  re- 
tained. 

Lime  is  said  to  be  injurious  to  the  Strawberry,  particu- 
larly when  appliel  directly  or  alone.  I  have  had  no  per- 
sonal experience  with  it  upon  the  Strawberry,  but  have 
known  several  instances  of  failure,  the  cause  of  which 
was  attributed  to  the  use  of  lime. 

TIME    TO    PLANT. 

Spring  and  fall  are  the  two  seasons  in  which  the  Straw- 
berry is  usually  transplanted.  Although  with  the  requisite 
care  the  operation  may  be  performed  at  any  time  during 
the  summer,  the  spring  seems  to  be  the  more  natural 
and  preferable  one  of  the  two. 

The  plants  are  then  just  starting  into  growth  after  their 
long  rest.  The  small  amount  of  foliage  which  has  sur- 
vived the  winter  is  fully  matured ;  consequently  it  calls 
for  very  little  nutriment  from  the  roots.  The  warm  spring 
rains  supply  the  plants  with  moisture,  and  the  very  atmos- 
phere of  this  season  appears  to  be  full  of  life. 

Fall  planting  is  usually  performed  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember in  the  Northern  Stales. 

This  season  has  one  advantage,  and  that  is :  if  th« 
plants  can  be  set  so  early  that  they  will  become  Irmly 


STRAWBERRY.  67 

rooted  before  cold  weather,  they  will  sometimes  produce 
a  partial  crop  the  ensuing  season,  as  well  as  make  a 
stronger  growth,  than  if  the  operation  is  deferred  until 
spring. 

When  one  has  the  plants  so  near  at  hand  that  they  can 
be  removed  without  having  their  roots  exposed  to  the  air 
for  a  few  moments  even,  besides  having  an  opportunity  of 
selecting  rainy  or  cloudy  weather  for  the  operation,  then 
it  may  be  done  in  the  autumn  with  success.  But  when 
the  plants  are  to  be  brought  from  a  distance,  and  when, 
as  it  will  often  occur,  they  arrive  in  a  time  of  drouth,  fall 
planting  becomes  a  doubtful  advantage.  I  do  not  wish  to 
discourage  fall  trade  in  Strawberry  plants ;  yet  from  an 
experience  extending  over  many  years  in  both  buying  and 
selling  plants,  1  conclude  that  fall  planting  is  far  more  un- 
certain than  spring. 

PREPARATION    OF    PLANTS. 

When  plants  are  taken  up  in  spring  there  will  be  more 
or  less  dead  leaves  upon  them ;  these  should  all  be  re- 
moved, leaving  only  those  that  appear  fresh  and  green. 
Some  roots  will  be  broken,  and  the  sound  ones,  if  long, 
cannot  readily  be  placed  in  the  ground  again  without  be- 
ing crowded  or  otherwise  thrown  out  of  their  natural 
position.  To  avoid  any  difficulty  on  this  point,  I  always 
shorten  them  to  at  least  one  half  their  length. 

Figure  19  shows  the  position  of  the  roots  on  a  medium 
or  small  plant  before  removal,  A,  being  the  runner  con- 
necting it  with  the  parent  plant ;  B,  a  new  runner  on 
which  other  plants  would  have  been  formed,  provided  the 
season  had  been  favorable  for  their  growth ;  C,  D,  tho 
cross  line  showing  where  the  roots  should  be  cut  after  the 
plant  is  taken  up.  This  shortening  causes  them  to  throw 
out  a  new  set  of  fibrous  roots  from  the  cut  ends. 

It  also  causes  roots  to  be  emitted  more  abundantly  from 
near  the  crown  than  would  have  been  the  case  if  the  root! 
8* 


58 


SMAIX   FRUIT   CTJLTUKIST. 


had  not  been  shortened.  Figure  20  shows  the  same  plant 
as  it  will  appear  after  having  been  planted  a  few  weeks. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  trim  each  plant  separately,  but  a 
handful  may  be  pruned  at  one  cut  of  the  knife.  Plants 
thus  pruned  are  more  readily  planted,  and  the  ir<o*«  are 


Fig.  19.— WHERE   TO  PRUNE  ROOTS. 

easily  spread  out  at  the  time,  which  is  quite  important, 
because  each  root  can  produce  rootlets  without  being  en- 
tangled with  others. 

In  transplanting  in  the  autumn  it  is  unnecessary  to 
shorten  the  roots,  unless  they  are  so  long  that  they  cannot 
be  conveniently  planted  entire.  The  roots  of  the  Straw- 
berry continue  to  grow  from  the  extreme  ends  until  cold 
weather,  and  when  moved  in  fall  or  summer  the  roots 


STRAWBERRY. 


should  be  taken  up  entire,  and  carefully  spread  out  when 
again  placed  in  the  soil.  If  the  plants  have  been  out  of 
the  ground  long  enough  to  cause  the  roots  to  have 
changed  color  and  become  dark  and  wilted,  then  they 
should  be  treated  the  same  as  those  removed  in  spring. 


Fig.  20. — GROWTH   OF   PRUNED  ROOTS. 

All  of  the  largest  leaves  should  be  cut  off  from  plants 
when  removed,  leaving  but  two  or  three  of  the  center 
leaves,  as  a  plant  is  far  more  likely  to  live  if  only  this 
number  is  allowed  to  remain  on  it  than  if  none  are  re- 
moved. 

We  are  now  supposing  that  the  plants  are  taken  up 
without  any  soil  adhering  to  the  roots.  If  each  plant  is 


60  SMALL   FKUIT   CTTLTUBIST. 

mover1  with  a  ball  of  earth,  then  there  will  be  no  necessity 
for  reducing  the  number  of  leaves,  because  the  connection 
between  the  root  and  soil  will  not  be  broken,  or,  at  least, 
not  entirely  separated ;  consequently  they  can  continue 
to  absorb  moisture  and  nutriment  for  the  support  of  al 
he  leaves. 

Sometimes  it  may  be  advisable  to  *'  puddle  "  the  roots, 
as  it  is  called,  before  planting.  This  operation  is  per- 
formed by  mixing  water  with  soil  until  it  is  of  the  consis* 
tency  of  thin  mortar;  then  dip  the  roots  into  it,  coating 
them  with  the  mixture,  which  excludes  the  air  and  pre- 
vents wilting  so  long  as  it  remains  moist.  A  tenacious 
clay  makes  the  best  puddle,  but  it  will  sometimes  adhere 
so  closely  to  the  roots  as  to  become  injurious.  It  is  well 
to  puddle,  before  packing,  the  roots  of  plants  that  are  to 
be  transported  a  long  distance,  and  consequently  be  a  long 
time  on  the  journey.  But  the  puddling  should  be  washed 
off  and  the  roots  trimmed  before  planting  again. 

Roots  that  have  been  entirely  excluded  from  the  air  for 
any  considerable  time  are  likely  to  become  soured,  and  it 
is  best  to  clean  and  refresh  them  with  pure  water  before 
again  placing  them  in  the  ground. 

PLANTING    AND    CULTIVATION. 

There  is  no  one  operation  of  more  importance  to  the 
future  success  of  a  Strawberry  bed  than  careful  planting. 
Some  cultivators  plant  with  a  dibble,  making  a  small  hole 
in  which  the  roots  are  thrust,  all  crowded  together  in  a 
mass.  Plants  may  live  under  such  treatment,  but  certainly 
cannot  thrive  so  well  as  though  their  roots  were  carefully 
§pread  out  in  a  natural  position. 

A  common  garden  trowel  should  always  be  used,  and  a 
hole  made  in  the  soil  large  enough  to  admit  the  roots 
without  crowding.  Set  the  plants  just  so  deep  that 
all  of  the  roots  will  be  covered,  and  no  deeper ;  for  if  the 
wown  is  buried  it  is  very  liable  to  decay,  particularly  in  I 


STRAWBERRY.  61 

heavy  soil.  If  a  handful  of  very  fine  compost  or  manurt 
w  mixed  with  the  soil  around  them  at  the  time  of  plant- 
ing it  will  very  materially  assist  in  their  future  growth. 

It  is  always  best  to  select  a  cloudy  day  for  planting,  if 
possible,  but  when  only  a  few  are  to  be  set  out  they  may 
be  watered  and  shaded,  and  their  growth  insured  without 
any  regard  to  the  weather.  The  distance  between  the 
plants  will  depend  upon  what  kind  of  cultivation  is  to  be 
given  them.  The  oldest  method  of  field  culture  in  this 
country,  and  the  one  practiced  upon  thousands  of  acres 
in  the  Eastern  States  at  the  present  time,  is  to  plant  in 
rows  from  two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  apart,  placing 
the  plants  about  a  foot  distant  in  the  rows. 

The  beds  are  hoed  during  the  early  part  of  summerj  or 
until  the  runners  cover  the  ground,  after  which  no  atten- 
tion is  paid  to  them  until  next  spring.  Then  paths  about 
a  foot  wide,  and  at  a  distance  of  four  feet  from  each  other, 
are  made,  thus  forming  beds  with  narrow  paths,  in  which 
the  pickers  are  expected  to  stand  when  gathering  the  fruit. 

Two  or  three  crops  are  gathered  from  these  beds  before 
any  change  is  made  or  cultivation  is  given,  except  that  of 
hoeing  or  plowing  out  the  paths  each  season  before  pick- 
ing time. 

When  the  beds  have  become  so  much  crowded  with 
weeds  and  plants  that  the  fruit  is  likely  to  entirely  fail,  a 
plow  is  run  through  the  center  of  each  bed,  forming  a 
new  path,  the  runners  being  allowed  to  take  root  and  fill 
up  the  old  ones.  Another  crop  or  two  is  taken,  and  then 
the  paths  are  again  changed.  Sometimes  the  beds  are 
burned  over  in  the  fall  after  the  weeds  have  died  down 
and  become  dry  ;  or  a  heavy  harrow  is  drawn  over  them 
soon  after  the  crop  is  gathered,  tearing  up  the  weeds  and 
a  greater  part  of  the  plants ;  while  at  the  same  time  it 
breaks  up  the  soil  so  that  the  few  remaining  plants  will 
grow  with  more  vigor,  and  there  will  be  room  for  the 


62  SMALL  FETJ1T  CFLTUBIST. 

runners  to  take  root.    In  this  manner  the  same  bedi  art 
cropped  for  ten  or  fifteen  years. 

It  is  not  the  fancy  improved  varieties  that  are  treated 
in  this  manner,  but  the  older  kinds,  which  are  but  a  slight 
improvement  upon  the  common  wild  berry.  The  forego- 
ing method  of  cultivation  is  certainly  not  to  be  recom- 
mended, but  I  have  mentioned  it  because  there  are  proba- 
bly as  many  acres  of  Strawberries  grown  and  treated  in 
this  manner  as  are  grown  under  any  other  system.  Our 
eastern  cities,  particularly  New  York,  Philadelphia  and 
Baltimore,  have  been  supplied  almost  entirely,  until  with- 
in a  very  few  years  past,  from  these  half  cultivated  fields. 
We  must  conclude  that  such  a  method  of  cultivation  ia 
profitable;  if  not,  it  would  have  been  abandoned  long 
Igo,  although  it  is  apparent  that  those  who  follow  thia 
system  are  not  afflicted  with  the  spirit  of  progress. 

BIENNIAL    SYSTEM. 

Another  method  which  has  of  late  years  become  very 
popular  is  that  of  planting  in  beds,  say  two  or  three  rows 
in  each,  placing  the  plants  about  eighteen  inches  apart 
eaoh  way,  and  then  leave  paths  of  about  two  feet.  The 
plants  are  hoed  and  all  weeds  destroyed  as  they  appear. 
The  runners  are  all  allowed  to  grow,  and  the  entire  sur- 
face is  covered  with  plants,  except  a  path  of  about  two 
feet  in  width  between  the  beds.  These  beds  are  allowed  to 
produce  two  crops,  and  then  the  plants  are  plowed  under 
and  some  other  crop  grown  on  the  land  for  one  or  two 
•easons,  when  it  is  again  planted  with  Strawberries,  if  de- 
sirable. This  is  probably  one  of  the  very  best  systems  in 
vogue.  The  first  crop  is  sometimes  the  best,  but  usually 
the  second  is  considered  as  the  main  one. 

It  is  much  less  trouble  to  plant  a  new  bed  than  to  clean 
the  weeds  out  of  an  old  one ;  besides,  a  first  rate  crop  can 


STRAWBERRY.  09 

not  be  expected  from  a  bed  where  the  plants  have  be 
come  old  and  crowded. 

A  few  Strawberry  growers  renew  their  beds  by  plowing 
up  all  but  a  small  strip  of  about  a  foot  wide,  leaving  one 
of  these  every  four  feet.  Then,  by  passing  a  cultivator  01 
harrow  between  these  rows,  the  ground  is  leveled  so  that 
tf»s  new  runners  can  readily  take  root. 

ANNUAL    SYSTEM. 

This  is  one  of  the  neatest  systems  in  use,  as  weeds  have 
no  chance  for  getting  a  foothold,  unless  the  cultivator  ia 
very  negligent.  The  plants  are  put  out  in  rows  two  to 
three  feet  apart,  and  about  a  foot  apart  in  the  row.  They 
are  carefully  cultivated  the  first  season,  a  crop  taken  the 
second,  and  then  plowed  under.  To  insure  a  full  crop  the 
soil  must  be  made  very  rich,  and  the  planting  done  in  the 
fall  or  ea"  ly  spring,  and  in  the  most  careful  manner. 

PLANTING    IN    ROWS    OR    HILLS. 

There  Are  but  few  varieties  that  succeed  so  well  when 
restricted  to  hills  for  a  number  of  years  as  when  allowed 
to  produce  runners.  The  varieties  of  F.  grandiflora  are 
better  adapted  to  this  system  than  others,  because  they 
naturally  produce  large,  compact  plants. 

The  usual  method  is  to  plant  in  rows  three  feet  apart, 
witli  plants  a  foot  apart  in  the  row.  All  runners  are  cut 
off  as  soon  as  they  appear,  and  the  beds  frequently  hoed, 
or  kept  clean  with  a  cultivator.  In  the  fall  the  entire  sur- 
face is  covered  with  a  mulching  of  leaves,  straw  or  coarse 
bog  grafrs.  The  plants  are  covered  as  well  as  the  ground 
between  them.  In  spring  the  covering  should  be  removed 
from  tb*  crowns  of  the  plants,  but  left  on  between  them, 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  fruit  clean  and  the  ground 
moist.  After  the  fruit  has  been  gathered,  sufficient  mulch- 
og  may  be  applied  to  keep  down  all  weeds,  or  all  of  it 


04  SMALL  FEUIT  CULTUBIST. 

may  be  removed,  and  a  plow  passed  between  the  rows  ic 
break  up  the  soil,  which  will  have  become  quite  compact 
from  being  frequently  traveled  over  in  gathering  the 
fruit. 

New  plants  may  be  allowed  to  take  root  in  the  rows 
between  the  old  stools,  thus  bringing  them  the  second 
season  into  what  is  termed  row  culture.  Some  varieties 
will  remain  productive  for  several  years  under  this  treat- 
ment, but  usually  three  or  four  years  will  be  as  long  as 
they  can  be  relied  upon  for  a  remunerative  crop.  I  have 
practiced  this  system  with  many  varieties,  and  believe 
that  more  fruit  per  acre  can  be  produced  (particularly  with 
the  foreign  kinds)  than  by  any  other  system.  One  strong 
stool,  with  plenty  of  room  for  its  roots,  and  with  the  sur- 
face of  the  soil  covered  with  mulching,  will  give  more  and 
.arger  fruit  than  twenty  plants  that  are  crowded,  and 
upon  an  unprotected  soil. 

For  general  field  culture,  and  with  most  of  our  native 
varieties,  the  biennial  or  annual  system  would  probably 
be  less  troublesome  and  equally  as  profitable. 

When  pistillate  varieties  are  grown  they  should  be  kept 
in  separate  beds,  and  every  alternate  one  should  be  a  per- 
fect flowering  variety,  and  one  that  blooms  at  the  same 
time  with  the  pistillate.  This  bed  need  not  be  more  than 
half  the  width  of  the  others. 

GARDEN    CULTURE. 

The  same  systems  recommended  for  field  culture  are 
equally  applicable  to  the  garden,  but  usually  greater  care 
will  be  given  to  a  small  bed  than  to  a  large  one. 

Water  may  be  applied  so  that  the  plants  shall  nevel 
•orfer  for  the  want  of  it.  Liquid  manure  should  be  ap- 
plied, if  very  large  fruit  is  desired,  in  addition  to  mak 
ing  the  soil  rich. 

Different  varieties  may  also  be  planted  ;  for  it  is  not  th€ 
most  profitable  market  fruit  that  is  always  of  the  beat 


STRAWBERRY.  00 

quality.  In  fact,  a  very  hard,  firm  berry  such  as  we 
would  select  for  market  purposes,  is  seldom  so  highly  fla- 
vored as  those  which  are  more  delicate. 

By  giving  an  abundance  of  water,  with  liquid  manure, 
a  second  crop  is  often  produced  upon  many  of  our  com- 
mon varieties.  To  insure  a  late  crop,  the  first  one  must 
not  be  allowed  to  mature,  but  the  flowers  should  be  re- 
moved so  soon  as  they  appear  in  spring. 

Then  keep  off  all  new  runners,  and  give  plenty  of  water, 

and  a  fine  crop  in  August  or  September  is  almost  certain. 

The  Boston  Pine  I  have  found  to  be  one  of  the  best 

varieties  for  producing  a  late  crop  when  treated  in  this 

manner. 

The  monthly  Alpines  are  excellent  varieties  for  garden 
culture,  although  they  do  not  produce  very  large  fruit. 
Give  them  plenty  of  moisture  and  a  rich  soil,  and  theri 
will  bo  but  few  days  from  May  to  winter  in  which  a  dish 
of  Strawberries  may  not  be  gathered  from  a  bed  of  mod- 
erate size. 

The  Bush  Alpines  are  less  troublesome  than  those  that 
produce  runners. 

This  class  of  Strawberries  vary  but  little  when  grown 
from  seed,  except  that  the  fruit  produced  on  the  seedlings 
will  be  considerably  larger  for  the  first  two  or  three  crops 
than  ever  afterwards. 

This  peculiarity  of  the  Alpines  is  well  known  in  Europe, 
and  the  growers  of  these  kinds  always  renew  their  beds 
with  seedlings,  and  never  depend  upon  the  runners  of  old 
ones  for  making  new  beds  or  plantations.  It  is  no  uncom- 
mon thing  to  find  berries  an  inch  in  diameter  on  young 
seedling  plants  of  Alpines,  while  on  old  beds  they  will 
scarcely  average  more  than  one-half  of  this  size. 

The  seeds  may  be  saved  and  sown  in  the  same  manner 
as  recommended  for  other  kinds. 

The  amateur  who  only  cultivates  a  few  Strawberry 
plants  in  his  garden  will  appreciate  the  fruit  he  grows  in 


06  SMALL   FRUIT  CTJLTUEIST. 

his  own  grounds  far  above  any  market  value ;  therefort 
the  cost  of  production  is  of  very  little  importance,  pro- 
vided the  results  are  satisfactory. 

It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  a  man  in  moderate  cir 
oumstances  will  continue  to  grow  fruit  which  costs  more 
than  it  is  worth ;  still  there  is  a  pleasure  in  producing  ex- 
tra fine  fruit,  even  if  there  is  no  great  profit  in  the  opera- 
tion. Besides,  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  extra  care  and 
cultivation  will  not,  as  a  rule,  prove  to  be  as  profitable  as 
that  which  is  generally  called  good  culture. 

I  have  made  several  experiments  for  the  purpose  of 
thoroughly  testing  extra  cultivation,  most  of  which  have 
been  quite  satisfactory. 

A  few  years  since  I  prepared  a  sixteenth  of  an  acre  bj 
trenching  it  two  feet  deep,  applying  twelve  large  twt> 
norse  loads  of  pure,  well-rotted  cow  manure,  thoroughly 
incorporating  it  with  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  one  foot. 

I  then  planted  this  bed  with  the  Triomphe  de  Gand 
Strawberry,  placing  the  plants  about  two  feet  apart  each 
way.  A  few  runners  were  allowed  to  take  root  between  the 
plants  in  the  rows,  but  I  removed  all  others.  The  ground 
was  hoed  often,  and  in  winter  the  plants  were  protected 
with  a  coat  of  salt  hay  two  inches  in  depth.  The  whole 
expense  of  preparing  the  bed-planting,  hoeing  and  mulch- 
ing up  to  the  time  of  picking  the  first  crop  was  fifty  dol- 
lars. The  bed  yielded  a  l&ttle  over  four  hundred  quarts, 
which,  at  the  low  price  of  twenty-five  cents  per  quart, 
would  have  given  a  fair  profit.  The  next  crrp  was  fully 
equal  to  the  first,  and  the  expense  incurred  to  produce  it 
but  very  little  in  comparison  to  the  first.  This  bed  con 
tinned  in  bearing  for  five  years,  and  even  then  the  lan<? 
was  in  good  condition  for  any  other  crop.  There  are  prob- 
ably many  soils  that  are  naturally  as  rich  as  this  bed  wa§ 
after  being  prepared,  but  in  this  instance  it  was  impera- 
tively necessary  to  enrich  the  ground  to  get  even  a  mod 
•rate  crcp 


STKAWBEKKY.  67 

An  abundance  of  moisture  is  one  of  the  requisites  for 
producing  large  fruit,  and  the  amateur  should  not  fail  to 
see  that  his  plants  receive  it,  particularly  at  the  time  when 
the  fruit  is  ripening.  Mulching  the  beds  is  a  sure  method 
of  keeping  the  soil  moist,  besides  it  prevents  the  fruit 
from  getting  splashed  during  violent  showers.  The  short 
mowings  of  grass  from  a  lawn  make  an  excellent  mulch, 
besides  it  looks  very  neat — much  more  so  than  straw  or 
leaves. 

In  Europe  a  tile  is  sometimes  used  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  the  fruit  clean,  as  well  as  for  covering  the  soil 
and  keeping  it  moist. 

These  tiles  are  about  an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and 
twelve  inches  square,  and  in  two 
parts,  as  shown  in  figure  21.  The 
hole  in  the  center  is  about  four  inches 
in  diameter.  The  plants  are  placed 
a  foot  apart  in  the  rows,  and  be- 
fore the  fruit  begins  to  ripen  the 
tile  is  placed  about  them. 

If  the  rows  are  only  a  foot  apart,  Fig.  SI.-STRAWBEREY 
then  the  whole  surface  will  be  TILE. 

covered,  the  soil  will  be  kept  moist,  and  the  fruit 
clean.  If  water  is  required  during  the  time  of  ripening, 
it  can  be  applied  directly  to  the  plant  by  passing  to  the  soil 
through  the  hole  in  the  tile.  These  tiles  could  probably 
be  obtained  at  any  pottery  or  brickyard  if  ordered  a  few 
months  in  advance  of  the  time  they  were  wanted  for  use. 
It  would  be  necessary  to  remove  the  tile  after  the  fruiting 
season  was  over,  and  the  soil  should  be  worked  over 
among  the  plants;  if  not  it  would  become  heavy  and 
soured  from  being  excluded  from  the  air. 

A  newly  patented  article,  answering  a  similar  purpose, 
has  just  made  its  appearance  in  this  country.  It  is  called 
H.  A.  Fuller  &  Co.'s  Patent  Strawberry  Vase,  and  is 
manufactured  by  the  above-named  firm  at  Norwich,  Conn. 


68  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUKIST. 

Figure  22  shows  the  form  of  the  vase,  with  a  plant  grow 
ing  within  it.  Not  having  tested  this  vase,  I  cannot  re* 
commend  it  from  experience ;  yet 
it  appears  to  be  a  good  thing  for 
the  purpose  designed. 

The  manufacturers  claim  that 
it  protects  the  fruit  from  dirt  and 
the  vines  from  weeds,  and  that, 
by  using  it,  double  the  amount  of 
fruit  will  be  produced  on  a  given 
space  than  when  the  vines  are 
cultivated  in  the  ordinary  method.  Fi*  ^-STRAWBERRY  VASE. 

The  runners  are  kept  trimmed  close  to  the  edge  of  the 
vase,  thereby  concentrating  the  strength  of  the  plant,  and 
larger  and  better  fruit  will  necessarily  be  the  result. 

The  flower  stems  will  also  grow  much  longer  by  being 
inclosed  in  the  neck  of  the  vase,  while  at  the  same  time 
they  will  be  supported  by  it,  and  the  fruit  will  rest  or  hang 
over  its  upper  part.  The  peculiar  form  of  this  vase  will 
not  only  insure  the  reception  by  the  plant  of  a  greater 
part  of  the  water  that  falls  in  the  form  of  rain,  but  will 
make  a  direct  application  more  convenient  when  applied 
artificially.  When  this  vase  is  to  be  used  the  plants  should 
be  set  one  foot  apart  each  way,  leaving  a  path  every  four 
rows.  The  vases  will  touch  each  other,  and  shade  the 
ground,  with  the  exception  of  the  paths,  which  may  be 
covered  with  a  mulch  of  saw-dust,  tan  or  other  material. 

The  present  price,  I  am  informed,  for  small  quantities 
is  twelve  dollars  per  hundred  ;  consequently  they  will 
scarcely  be  used  by  those  who  grow  Strawberries  for 
profit,  unless  the  yield  of  fruit  is  increased  in  proportion 
to  the  outlay. 

Nevertheless,  all  these  peculiar  contrivances  are  of  in- 
terest to  the  amateur,  besides,  it  was  by  improved  methods 
of  cultivation  and  extra  care  that  our  largest  and  best 
varieties  were  first  produced. 


STRAWBERRY.  6ft 

Those  old  and  long  celebrated  English  varieties,  Keen'a 
Seedling  and  British  Queen,  were  not  produced  from  seeds 
gathered  from  neglected  plants,  but  from  those  which 
had  been  stimulated  by  extra  culture.  And  'f  we  expect 
to  keep  on  improving  we  must  stimulate  our  plants  into  a 
rigorous  growth — not  only  the  ones  from  which  we  gather 
the  seeds,  but  the  seedlings  themselves. 

To  produce  large  and  extra  fine  specimens,  only  a  few 
berries  should  be  allowed  to  mature  upon  the  plant 
When  there  are  several  fruit  stems,  select  three  or  four  of 
the  strongest,  and  destroy  the  others;  also  remove  all  ex- 
cept two  or  three  berries  from  each. 

Large  Strawberries  are  quite  the  fashion  at  the  present 
time,  and  the  amateur  cultivator  generally  takes  the  lead, 
merely  because  he  applies  the  requisite  means  for  produc- 
ing the  results. 

A  few  years  since  an  amateur  Strawberry  grower 
brought  some  monstrous  fruit  to  an  exhibition  held  in 
one  of  our  eastern  cities,  and  they  were  so  much  larger 
than  anything  that  had  heretofore  been  shown,  that  he 
was  offered  and  accepted  a  very  large  price  for  the  entire 
stock  of  this  variety. 

The  purchaser  sent  his  gardener  for  them  soon  after, 
and  when  he  took  up  the  plants  he  found  the  beds  so  filled 
with  offal  from  a  slaughter-house  that  the  operation  of 
removing  the  plants  was  anything  but  a  pleasant  one. 
Here  were  cause  and  effect  but  little  separated.  This  ia 
but  one  instance  among  the  many  that  might  be  given  to 
show  that  great  results  in  fruit  growing  of  any  kind  are 
only  derived  by  direct  effort  on  the  part  of  the  producer. 

Old  plants  seldom  produce  as  large  berries  as  young 
ones,  and  a  fresh  stock  should  always  be  provided,  either 
by  allowing  a  few  plants  in  the  fruiting  beds  to  throw  out 
runners,  or  by  setting  a  few  in  separate  beds  every  year 
*br  that  particular  purpose. 

Plants  that  have  been  highly  stimulated  will  seldont 


70  SMALL   FBJTT  CTJLTUEIST. 

last  more  than  two  or  three  years,  and  they  will  frequently 
fail  after  producing  one  large  crop.  The  safest  plan  is 
not  to  expect  more  than  two  crops,  and  to  make  the  beds 
upon  fresh  soil,  where  no  Strawberries  have  been  grown 
for  at  least  two  seasons. 

FORCING    STRAWBERRIES. 

The  term  forcing  is  generally  used  to  indicate  that  a 
fruit  is  made  to  lipen  at  other  than  its  season.  In  Europe 
the  forcing  of  Strawberries  has  been  extensively  practiced 
for  a  long  time,  but  in  thid  country  very  little  attention 
has  been  paid  to  this  system  of  cultivation  until  within  the 
past  few  years. 

There  are  few  plants  that  will  grow  more  readily,  or 
produce  more  fruit  in  proportion  to  the  expense  incurred, 
than  the  Strawberry  when  grown  under  glass. 

When  only  a  few  plants  are  to  be  forced,  and  the  object 
is  merely  to  obtain  fruit  a  few  weeks  in  advance  of  the 
usual  time,  then  a  common  hot  bed  may  be  used  for  the 
purpose.  The  plants,  however,  should  be  prepared  the 
season  previous,  and  stored  where  they  can  be  had  when 
wanted  in  early  spring. 

An  ordinary  green-house,  such  as  is  used  for  tender  exotic 
plants,  will  answer  the  purpose.  But  one  which  has  a 
roof  so  low  down  that  the  plants  will  be  within  two  or 
three  feet  of  the  glass  is  better  than  one  that  is  consider- 
ably higher ;  besides,  it  will  take  much  less  fire  to  heat  a 
low  house  than  a  high  one. 

The  soil  in  which  the  plants  are  to  be  grown  should  be 
exceedingly  rich.  A  compost  made  of  three-fourths  old 
sods  or  turfy  loam,  and  one-fourth  barn-yard  manure,  wilJ 
be  found  excellent  for  this  purpose,  and  if  there  is  coneid- 
erable  cow  manure  among  the  latter  so  much  the  better. 

Mix  these  materials  together,  and  let  them  becomt 
thoroughly  decomposed  before  using.  Tfc  e  mor  e  frequently 


STRAWBERRY.  71 

the  compost  is  turned  over,  the  less  time  it  will  require 
for  its  decomposition. 

Leaf  mold  from  the  woods  or  friable  muck,  with  a  little 
addition  of  pure  sand,  will  answer  in  the  place  of  sods, 

PREPARATION    OF    PLANT8. 

When  the  first  runners  appear  upon  plants  in  the  open 
ground,  fill  as  many  three  inch  pots  with  the  compost  as 
you  desire,  and  set  them  near  the  old  plants  from  which 
you  wish  to  take  those  for  forcing,  placing  the  top  of  the 
pot  just  level  with  the  surface  of  the  soil.  When  the 
young  plants  on  the  runners  begin  to  show  roots,  place 
one  on  the  soil  in  each  pot,  and  lay  a  stone  or  a  little  soil 
on  the  runner  to  keep  it  in  its  place. 

The  end  of  the  runner  should  be  pinched  off  just  beyond 
the  plant,  so  that  it  will  receive  all  the  nutriment  furnished 
by  the  parent.  When  the  young  plant  has  become  rooted 
in  the  pot,  it  should  be  taken  up  and  the  runner  cut  off 
close  to  the  plant ;  then  set  the  pots  away  in  an  open  and 
airy  place  for  a  few  weeks,  being  careful  not  to  let  them 
suffer  for  the  want  of  water.  Set  them  on  flat  stones, 
bricks  or  boards,  so  that  no  worms  can  have  access  to  the 
pots  through  the  hole  in  the  bottom. 

When  the  plants  have  remained  in  the  pots  a  few  weeks, 
they  should  be  shifted  into  larger  ones.  Some  prefer  to 
place  them  in  five-inch  pots,  and  afterwards  shift  into  six 
or  eight-inch  pots,  in  which  they  are  to  be  fruited,  while 
others  make  but  one  shift  from  the  small  pots.  It  will 
make  but  little  difference,  as  either  plan  will  work  well  if 
carefully  done.  The  ball  of  earth  containing  the  roots 
should  not  be  broken  when  re-potting,  but  preserved 
whole.  A  few  pieces  of  broken  pots  or  brick  should  be 
placed  hi  the  bottom  of  these  large  pots  for  drainage. 

There  are  a  few  gardeners  who  assume  that  drainage  is 
ot  no  importance,  but  from  my  own  experience  of  several 


78  SMALL   FRUIT   CtTLTTTRIST. 

years  with  a  great  variety  of  plants,  I  cannot  indorse  thu 
new  theory  of  no  drainage,  particularly  when  the  plants 
grown  in  pots  naturally  succeed  hest  in  a  soil  that  is 
deep  and  moderately  dry.  With  the  small  potst  drainage 
is  of  little  importance,  but  with  those  of  larger  size  all 
surplus  moisture  should  be  allowed  to  pass  through,  leav- 
ing only  what  will  usually  be  retained  by  the  soil. 

The  plants,  after  they  have  been  placed  in  the  large 
pots,  may  be  set  close  together,  or  plunged  up  to  the  rim  of 
the  pot  in  the  open  ground  until  wanted,  care  being  given 
to  keep  them  growing  vigorously  until  within  a  few  weeks 
of  the  time  they  are  to  be  placed  in  the  forcing-house. 
Water  should  be  gradually  withheld,  so  that  the  plants 
may  ripen.  It  is  not  advisable  to  withhold  water  en« 
tirely,  but  give  only  enough  to  keep  the  plants  from 
actually  suffering  for  the  want  of  it,  and  allow  them  a 
short  period  of  rest  before  starting  them  again  into 
growth.  If  runners  should  appear  they  must  be  pinched 
off.  Those  wanted  for  an  early  crop  may  be  placed  in  the 
house  the  first  of  November,  as  it  will  be  ten  to  four- 
teen weeks  from  the  time  the  plants  are  placed  in  the 
foreing-house  before  the  fruit  will  be  ripe. 

If  a  succession  of  crops  is  desired,  then  only  a  portion 
of  the  plants  should  be  placed  in  the  house  at  one  time. 

The  pots  may  be  set  on  shelves  or  plunged  in  soil — the 
latter  method  is  preferable,  as  there  is  less  danger  of  the 
plants  being  affected  by  careless  watering  or  change  of 
temperature. 

The  plants  should  now  be  watered  regularly,  just  enough 
to  keep  the  soil  moist,  but  not  wet — the  temperature  of 
the  house  raised  to  65  or  75  degrees  in  the  day,  and  50  to 
60  at  night,  slightly  increasing  as  the  flower  stems  appear. 

The  plants  should  be  frequently,  say  every  alternate 
day,  syringed  or  sprinkled  overhead  until  they  bloom, 
then  omit  it  until  the  fruit  is  set,  after  which  it  may  be 
continued,  but  not  quite  so  often  as  before.  While  the 


8TBAWBEBBT,  73 

plants  are  in  bloom,  as  much  air  should  be  admitted  as 
possible  without  lowering  the  temperature  or  allowing  a 
direct  current  to  strike  upon  the  plants.  In  clear  weather 
the  plants  will  generally  require  water  once  a  day,  and 
sometimes  twice.  Care  should  be  observed  not  to  let  the 
leaves  wilt,  but  do  not  give  so  much  water  that  the  soil 
shall  become  sodden  and  heavy. 

A  few  applications  of  liquid  manure  may  be  beneficial, 
provided  the  compost  used  is  not  sufficiently  rich.  When 
the  fruit  is  set  and  swelling,  is  a  good  time  to  apply  it,  but 
withhold  it  after  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen. 

The  reserved  plants  should  be  stored  where  they  will 
not  be  frozen.  A  light,  warm  cellar  or  walled  pit, 
covered  with  glass,  will  answer  the  purpose — a  place 
where  they  \7ill  receive  light,  and  not  be  frozea, 
yet  so  cool  that  they  will  not  be  excited  into  growth. 
Sometimes  plants  a  year  old  are  taken  up  in  the  fall  and 
potted,  and  used  for  forcing,  but  those  prepared  as  de- 
scribed are  preferable.  Forcing  houses  are  sometimes  so 
arranged  that  the  plants  are  set  directly  in  the  ground 
without  pots.  A  more  vigorous  growth  of  plant  is  se- 
cured by  this  method,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  the  crop  of 
fruit  is  increased. 

Plants  that  have  been  once  used  for  forcing  should  be 
discarded  and  not  used  for  the  same  purpose  again.  It 
may  be  advisable,  hi  cases  of  scarcity,  to  plant  them  out 
•ji  the  open  ground  in  spring,  for  they  will  occasionally 
produce  a  moderate  crop  late  in  the  season. 

All  the  different  operations  may  be  varied  to  suit  the 
tircumstances  of  the  case,  as  in  open  air  culture ;  and 
[  have  only  endeavored  to  give  a  general  plan,  omit- 
ring  minute  details,  which  the  grower  will  readily 
»upply  while  the  operation  is  in  progress.  At  every  step 
caution  and  a  due  amount  of  thought  are  requisite — such 
&s  preventing  cold  currents  of  air  striking  the  plants 
4 


74  SMALL   FKUIT   CTTLTUEIST. 

when  in  bloom,  or  chilling  the  roots  by  applying  very 
cold  water. 

Forcing  Strawberries  for  market  is  not  a  common  prac- 
tice, except  near  our  larger  cities ;  but  it  will  probably  be- 
come more  general  in  a  few  years  than  at  present,  partic- 
ularly if  two  to  three  dollars  per  quart  can  be  obtained 
for  the  fruit,  as  has  been  done  in  New  York  for  several 
years  past. 

FORCING    HOUSES. 

Few,  if  any,  structures  have  been  built  in  this  country 
expressly  for  the  purpose  of  forcing  Strawberries. 

The  common  lean-to  or  span-roof  houses  are  principally 
used  for  forcing  all  kinds  of  fruits,  and  perhaps  they 


Fig.  23.— FORCING  HOUSE. 

answer  as  well  as  any  other.  In  Europe  many  different 
styles  are  in  use,  among  which  there  is  probably  none 
more  unique  or  better  adapted  to  forcing  the  Strawberry 
than  the  one  shown  in  the  accompanying  engraving,  fig- 
ure 23.  This  is  a  lean-to  house,  but  instead  of  the  usual 
form  of  roof  it  is  made  up  of  a  series  of  short  frames,  one 
above  the  other,  like  a  flight  of  stairs.  These  frames  resf 


STRAWBERRY.  7& 

open  oast  iron  brackets,  fixed  against  the  wall  or  upon 
standards  erected  for  the  purpose.  Where  the  brackets 
are  fastened  directly  upon  the  wall,  access  is  had  to  the 
plants  by  lifting  the  frames  from  the  front.  But  the  one 
shown  is  wide  enough  to  allow  a  passage  behind  the 
frames.  The  idea  is  a  good  one,  which  our  own  gardeners 
will  not  fail  to  take  advantage  o£  The  plants  in  the 
frames  are  brought  close  to  the  glass,  and  there  is  no  ex- 
tra or  waste  space,  which  requires  just  as  much  heat  as 
that  which  is  occupied  by  plants.  This  style  of  house 
is  said  to  have  originated  with  the  firm  of  Weeks  &  Co., 
Chelsea,  England.  Three  different  plans  of  these  Eng- 
lish houses  were  given  in  the  Gardeners'  Monthly,  in 
June,  1865.  They  may  be  heated  with  hot  water,  steam, 
or  any  of  the  other  modes  usually  employed. 

VARIETIES    FOR    FORCING. 

Comparatively  few  experiments  have  been  made  in  this 
country  in  forcing  Strawberries;  it  is,  therefore,  not 
known  which  are  the  best  varieties  for  that  purpose. 
None  but  those  with  bi-sexual  flowers  can  be  used  advan- 
tageously, inasmuch  as  in  the  still  atmosphere  of  a  house 
the  pistillate  varieties  would  be  imperfectly  fertilized,  even 
if  abundant  perfect  flowering  kinds  were  grown  among 
them. 

Forced  fruit  is  not  generally  as  highly  flavored  as  that 
which  ripens  in  the  open  air ;  consequently  only  that  of 
the  best  quality  should  be  used,  provided  flavor  is  an 
object. 

Trollope's  Victoria  is  a  fine  show  fruit,  and  produces 
well  when  forced,  but  it  is  usually  insipid. 

Austin  or  Shaker,  is  eqtial  if  not  superior  to  the  last, 
but  with  the  same  defect,  although  not  to  such  an  extent. 
Its  fine  color  and  large  size  are  very  much  in  its  favor 
and  it  usually  commands  a  large  price  in  market. 

The  British  Queen  is  the  most  popular  variety  in  Eng 


76  SMALL  FRUIT    3ULTTJBIST. 

land  for  forcing,  and  it  would  probably  be  worthy  of  tria* 
here,  although  it  does  not  succeed  very  well  in  the  open 
air. 

Among  our  native  varieties  we  have  probably  no  better 
variety  for  forcing,  taking  flavor  and  productiveness  into 
consideration,  than  the  Boston  Pine.  The  monthly  Al- 
pines do  exceedingly  well,  and  the  fruit  is  usually  con- 
siderably larger  than  when  grown  in  the  open  ground. 

THINNING    THE    FRUIT. 

It  is  sometimes  necessary  to  take  off  a  portion  of  the 
fruit  from  forced  plants.  This  should  be  done  as  soon  as 
it  has  set,  thereby  giving  that  which  remains  a  better 
chance  for  full  development.  Numbers  do  not  always  in- 
dicate quantity,  and,  with  ten  to  fifteen  berries  upon  each 
plant,  as  many  quarts  will  usually  be  obtained  from 
a  given  space  as  with  twice  as  many  to  each. 

Plants  that  are  not  over-cropped  at  first,  may  often  be 
made  to  produce  a  second  crop  by  giving  stimulating 
manure  soon  after  the  first  is  gathered. 

One  crop,  however,  is  all  that  is  usually  expected  with 
hose  which  do  not  produce  any  more  naturally. 

HYBRIDIZING    AND    CROSSING. 

The  Strawberry  may  be  hybridized  or  crossed  as  readily 
as  other  fruits,  but  this  having  already  been  done  to  such 
an  extent  between  the  F.  Virginiana  and  F.  grandiflora^ 
the  results  of  special  effort  in  the  same  direction  will  be 
rery  uncertain,  especially  if  we  use  the  varieties  under 
cultivation  for  that  purpose. 

These  being  in  many  instance's  a  mixture  of  two  species, 
it  becomes  a  difficult  matter  to  determine  whether  the 
cause  which  produced  certain  results  originated  with  us, 
or  was  the  effect  of  some  previous  operation  which  had 
just  made  itself  apparent  in  the  seedlings. 


8TBAWUERBY.  T7 

In  other  words,  hybridizing  hybrids  is  only  the  mixing 
together  of  two  compounds — the  exact  proportions  of 
neither  being  known. 

The  pistillate  varieties  are  always  fertilized  by  othef 
kinds ;  their  seeds  are  impregnated  by  whatever  kind 
produces  the  pollen  ;  consequently  the  plants  grown  from 
them  are  natural  crosses  between  the  two  or  more,  as  the 
case  be. 

It  is  very  doubtful  if  any  dependence  can  be  placed 
upon  the  results  of  artificial  crossing  between  any  of  the 
varieties  of  the  two  species  named  ;  still,  it  may  be  worthy 
of  trial.  All  that  is  required  is  to  fertilize  the  pistils  of 
one  variety  with  the  pollen  from  another. 

For  instance,  if  we  select  the  Wilson's  Albany  for  the 
parent  from  which  we  wish  to  procure  seeds,  when  the 
flowers  first  open,  we  take  a  pair  of  small  scissors  and  cut 
off  the  stamens,  being  careful  to  remove  every  one.  It 
is  best  to  do  this  early  in  the  morning  before  the  petals 
nave  fully  expanded ;  then  set  a  bell-glass  or  a  fine  wire 
screen  over  the  entire  plant,  so  that  insects,  which  go 
from  flower  to  flower  with  pollen  adhering  to  them,  shall 
not  fertilize  the  plant  upon  which  we  are  operating  and 
thereby  defeat  our  object.  In  three  or  four  hours  after  the 
stamens  have  been  removed,  the  pistils  will  probably  be 
sufficiently  developed  to  receive  the  pollen,  at  which  time 
cut  a  folly  expanded  flower  from  the  variety  that  has  been 
selected  for  the  other  parent,  and  apply  its  stamens  to  the 
pistils  of  the  Wilson's  Albany.  The  stamens  may  be  cut 
off  and  allowed  to  drop  on  to  the  pistils  or  merely  brushed 
over  them.  Three  or  four  flowers  are  sufficient,  and  all 
that  it  is  safe  to  undertake  to  operate  upon  on  a  single 
plant ;  all  others  should  be  removed  before  they  open. 

Each  flower  must  have  its  stamens  removed  and  its  pis- 
tils fertilized  in  the  same  manner;  and  as  they  will  proba- 
bly not  all  open  in  one  day,  they  must  be  attended  to  BUO 
cessively  as  they  bloom. 


78  SMALL  FEIHT  CULTUBIST. 

Mark  the  plants,  and  keep  the  screen  or  bell-glass  OT«I 
them  for  two  or  three  days.  When  the  seeds  are  ripe, 
save  and  plant  as  I  have  already  directed. 

There  are  a  few  Strawberry  growers  who  place  great 
reliance  upon  their  particular  efforts  in  crossing,  and  when- 
ever they  produce  a  new  variety  it  is  always  (if  we  "believe 
their  assertions)  a  cross  or  hybrid  between  some  two  re- 
markable varieties  or  species.  But  to  show  how  exceed- 
ingly difficult  it  is  te  know  positively  whether  a  seedling 
is  a  cross  between  the  two  varieties  upon  which  we  have 
experimented,  or  the  result  of  some  previous  one,  let  ug 
suppose  a  case. 

For  instance,  we  will  take  Hovey's  Seedling  and  fertil- 
ize it  with  the  Wilson,  and  from  the  seed  of  the  former 
raise  a  variety  that  shall  resemble  the  latter  more  than  it 
does  the  Hovey — would  this  be  positive  proof  that  the 
seedling  was  the  result  of  our  especial  effort  ?  Not  at  all, 
because  similar  varieties  may  be  and  are  produced  from 
the  Hovey  without  artificially  fertilizing  its  flowers  from 
the  Wilson  or  any  similar  variety. 

And  further,  the  Wilson  is  probably  a  seedling  of  the 
Hovey,  and  it  possesses  naturally  the  same  inherent  char- 
acteristics which  only  require  an  opportunity,  which  seed- 
lings afford,  to  show  themselves. 

Direct  efforts  to  improve  are  commendable,  but  the 
causes  of  results  are  not  always  what  are  supposed,  and 
assertions  are  not  to  be  implicitly  relied  upon.  The  in- 
fluence that  one  variety  has  upon  another  by  fertilizing 
is  generally  supposed  to  affect  the  seeds  only,  but  from 
many  experiments  which  I  have  made,  I  am  quite  certain 
that  it  extends  further. 

Every  Strawberry  grower  is  aware  of  '  -^  fact  that 
whenever  a  portion  of  the  pistils  are  not  fertilized,  the 
berries  will  be  proportionately  deformed.  If  there  are  no 
needs,  then  the  receptacle,  which  we  call  the  fruit,  is  abor- 
tive. But  if  we  are  to  supnose  that  the  influence  of  thi 


flTRAWBERB*.  7* 

poflcn  extends  no  further  than  the  seeds,  why  does  not 
the  fruit  enlarge  and  come  to  maturity  without  seeds,  as 
we  see  in  other  fruits,  particularly  those  which  produce 
their  seeds  within  a  fleshy  receptacle,  as  the  grape,  ap- 
ple, &c. 

With  corn,  we  can  see  the  effects  of  cross-fertilization 
in  the  color  of  the  grains  the  first  season,  also  upon  the 
receptacle  (cob)  ;  thus,  in  this  instance,  showing  con- 
clusively that  the  effect  is  apparent  the  first  season  upon 
the  seed  as  well  as  beyond. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  impregnation  affects  the  whole 
plant,  but  not  to  an  extent  worthy  of  any  particular  at- 
tention. Still,  from  personal  observations  upon  this  point, 
I  am  well  satisfied  that  principles  similar  to  those  which 
govern  the  animal  kingdom  are  potent  in  the  vegetable. 
Because  they  are  not  so  readily  observed  is  no  reason  for 
disputing  their  effect. 

The  most  careful  experimenter  or  observer  is  generally 
less  positive  in  his  assertions  than  the  more  careless,  be- 
cause by  thorough  study  he  learns  that  although  cause 
and  effect  are  linked  together,  the  connecting  chain  is  of- 
ten not  only  hidden,  but  has  so  many  ramifications  that 
each  cannot  be  traced  with  any  degree  of  certainty. 

In  giving  names  to  new  varieties  errors  are  occasionally 
made — sometimes  purposely,  and  with  intent  to  deceive, 
but  let  us  hope  more  often  carelessly  or  through  ignorance. 
Many  of  my  readers  may  remember  the  advent  of 
Peabody's  Hautbois  Strawberry. 

The  originator  claimed  that  it  was  a  cross  between  the 
Ross  and  Phoenix  and  the  wild  Strawberry  of  Alabama, 
neither  of  which  belong  to  the  Hautbois  species ;  conse- 
quently it  was  a  deception  to  call  the  new  seedling  a 
Hautbois,  although  the  originator  had,  according  to  cus- 
tom, a  right  to  give  it  whatever  name  he  pleased. 

Many  other  so-called  Hautbois  Strawberries  have  been 
ft*  far  from  what  their  name  implies  as  the  Peabody,  and 


80  SMALL  FBUIT  CULTUBIST. 

may  have  been  applied  through  ignorance  or  design.  Il 
is  very  doubtful  if  there  have  ever  been  any  true  hybridi 
produced  between  the  Hautbois,  or  the  Alpine,  and  other 
species.  Some  fifty  years  ago,  a  Mr.  Williams,  of  Pitmas- 
ton,  in  England,  claimed  to  have  produced  a  hybrid  be- 
tween the  Hautbois  and  Alpine,  which  gave  fruit  without 
seed,  but  nothing  more  was  heard  of  it  beyond  the  an- 
nouncement of  its  production. 

Whether  hybrids  between  the  Alpines  and  Hautbois, 
or  these  and  other  species,  have  ever  been  produced  is  un- 
certain ;  yet  I  think  it  possible  and  worthy  of  triaL 

WINTER    PROTECTION. 

In  many  portions  of  the  country  a  winter  protection  to 
Strawberry  plants  is  very  beneficial,  if  not  positively  ne- 
cessary. Some  of  our  most  successful  growers  in  the 
Northern  States  never  fail  to  protect  their  plants,  and 
without  doubt  they  are  amply  repaid  for  the  expense  in- 
curred. For  my  own  part  I  never  have  had  a  full  crop 
without  giving  protection,  and  never  expect  one. 

There  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  that  the  great  success  of 
some  cultivators,  with  particular  kinds,  is  owing,  in  a 
great  measure,  if  not  entirely,  to  the  winter  protection  of 
the  plants. 

The  embryo  fruit  buds  are  formed  within  the  crown  of 
the  plant  in  autumn,  and  therefore  it  must  be  apparent 
that  sudden  transition  from  heat  to  severe  cold  will  very 
.nuch  weaken  if  not  wholly  destroy  them. 

In  sections  of  the  country  where  the  plants  are  covered 
with  snow  during  the  entire  winter,  other  protection  is  not 
so  important  as  where  there  is  little  snow,  but  continued 
freezing  and  thawing.  It  is  not  expected  nor  is  it  desira- 
ble to  protect  the  plants  so  that  they  shall  not  be  frozent 
but  merely  to  shade  them,  and  prevent  their  being  affect 
ed  by  every  little  change  in  the  weather. 

A  covering  of  straw,  hay,  leaves,  or  any  similar  mat* 


STRAWBERRY. 

rial,  to  the  depth  of  one  or  two  inches  will  usually  be 
sufficient. 

Every  one  ought  to  know,  if  he  does  not,  that  frozen 
plants  thawed  out  in  the  shade  are  less  injured  by  frost 
than  when  fully  exposed  to  the  light ;  and  this  is  another 
reason  why  Strawberry  plants  should  be  covered  in  win- 
ter, because,  if  the  weather  should  be  very  changeable, 
they  will  be  less  liable  to  injury  than  when  fully  exposed 
to  light. 

Protection  is  sometimes  objected  to,  because  it  is  said 
to  retard  the  blooming  of  the  plants,  and  the  crop  will  be 
later  in  ripening.  This  may  be  true  to  a  certain  extent, 
but  I  have  always  thought  that  protected  plants  came  for- 
ward more  rapidly,  when  they  did  start,  than  the  unpro- 
tected ones.  The  lost  time  may  not  be  fully  made  up, 
but  there  will  be  but  a  very  slight  difference. 

In  some  sections  of  the  country,  retarding  the  time  ol 
blooming  would  be  very  advantageous,  as  by  this  means 
the  injury  from  late  spring  frosts  would  be  avoided.  The 
benefit  of  having  late  blooming  kinds  was  quite  apparent 
the  past  season,  (1866),  when  a  late  frost  was  very  de- 
structive through  a  great  portion  of  the  Northern  and 
Middle  States ;  and  the  reports  of  the  Strawberry  crop 
furnished  some  amusing  illustrations  of  the  careless  maa- 
mer  in  which  some  cultivators  arrive  at  conclusions.  The 
early  blooming  varieties  came  in  for  all  the  censure,  while 
the  late  bloomers,  which  escaped  the  frost,  received  all 
the  praise ;  and  still,  with  this  very  potent  fact  before 
him,  scarcely  a  fruit  grower,  in  making  up  his  report  of 
success  or  failure,  alluded  to  the  time  of  the  blooming  of 
the  variety  cultivated.  The  varieties  of  F.  grandiflora 
in  particular,  require  winter  protection  to  insure  a  fu?1 
crop.  The  large,  prominent  crowns  of  these  varieties  are 
more  liable  to  injury  than  the  smaller  and  more  compact 
ones  of  those  of  other  species.  When  the  plants  are  grown 
to  beds,  then  a  portion  of  the  material  used  for  protection 
4* 


82  SMALL  FRUIT   CCLTUB1S*. 

should  be  removed  in  spring,  leaving  about  balf  an  inch  in 
depth,  allowing  the  plants  to  grow  through  it,  thereby 
affording  a  mulching  that  will  keep  the  fruit  clean  as  well 
as  shading  the  ground. 

Saw-dust  and  tan-bark  are  sometimes  used  for  mulching, 
but  there  is  usually  so  much  fine  dust  among  them  that  the 
fruit  will  become  more  or  less  splashed  during  heavy  rains. 

Spent  hops  from  a  brewery  is  a  most  excellent  material 
for  mulching  the  Strawberry;  besides,  few  insects  will 
attack  the  plants  or  fruit  where  it  is  used.  The  young 
runners  strike  root  very  readily  in  spent  hops,  showing 
that  it  is  an  excellent  fertilizer.  Fallen  pine  leaves  are 
found  to  be  very  good,  as  they  keep  the  fruit  clean,  while 
at  the  same  time  they  will  have  decayed  so  much  as  to 
interfere  but  very  little  with  the  growth  of  the  plants. 
Some  have  suggested  that  the  peculiar  flavor  of  tho 
Pine  varieties  is  imparted  to  others  by  the  use  of  this 
kind  of  mulching,  but  this  is  probably  more  in  imagina- 
tion than  in  reality. 

Salt  meadow  and  bog  hay  are  excellent  for  a  mulch,  as 
also  is  straw  or  corn  stalks  cut  fine. 

When  the  plants  are  cultivated  in  rows,  the  mulching 
should  only  be  removed  from  the  crowns  of  the  plants, 
and  the  entire  amount  allowed  to  remain  on  the  ground 
between  the  rows. 

Another  method  of  protecting  the  plants  is  to  covei 
them  with  soil.  This  is  done  by  passing  the  plow  along 
each  side  of  the  row,  turning  the  soil  on  the  plants  in 
the  fall,  and  then  removing  it  again  in  the  spring.  This 
plan  might  answer  in  light  soils,  but  then  a  mulching 
would  be  still  needed  in  summer  to  keep  the  fruit  clean. 
This  method  has  been  practiced  in  a  few  places,  but  with 
what  success  I  am  unable  to  state* 


STRAWBERRY.  83 

DISEASES    AND    INSECTS. 

The  Strawberry  is  peculiarly  exempt  from  diseases, 
there  being  few  which  affect  it  to  any  considerable  extent. 

Sometimes  a  sudden  change  of  weather  will  cause  the 
flowers  to  blight,  and  no  fruit  will  be  produced  ;  but  this 
cannot  be  classed  as  a  disease,  but  merely  as  an  accidental 
cause  of  failure.  In  warm,  wet  weather,  the  fruit  and 
leaf-stalks  will  be  affected  by  mildew,  and  the  leaves  at- 
tacked by  a  kind  of  rust  which  is  called  in  Europe  Straw- 
berry Brand  (Aregma  obtusatum).  Mr.  Cooke,  in  his 
late  work  0:1  Microscopic  Fungi,  has  given  a  description 
and  highly  magnified  illustration  of  this  species,  which 
we  quote,  figure  24.  The 
spores  are  produced  in 
clusters  on  the  upper  side 
of  the  leaves,  and  appear 
to  the  naked  eye  like 
minute  yellow  spots,  but 
under  a  magnifying  lens 
they  have  the  form  shown 
in  the  illustration,  figure 

24.     As  this  fungus  makes  its  appearance  late  in  the 
season,  it  causes  but  very  little  injury. 

A  kind  of  blight  or  rust  is  reported  to  have  appeared 
on  Strawberry  plants  in  some  of  the  Western  States  dur- 
ing the  past  few  years,  causing  considerable  loss  to  grow- 
ers of  this  fruit,  but  as  I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  per- 
sonally examining  the  affected  plantations,  I  am  unable 
to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  cause  or  nature  of  the 
disease.  In  most  cases  of  fungus  diseases,  dusting  the 
plants  with  ashes  or  gypsum  will  be  beneficial,  even  if 
it  does  not  entirely  destroy  the  fungi  causing  them. 

Insects  are  more  injurious  to  the  Strawberry  than  are 
diseases,  and  among  the  most  destructive  of  these  are  the 
various  species  of  the  May  Beetles  (Lachnosterna),  of 


84  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

which  there  are  over  sixty  species  already  described  as 
inhabiting  the  United  States,  and  there  are  probably 
others  not  as  yet  discovered  by  our  entomologists.  There 
is  no  locality,  from  Washington  Territory  to  Florida,  in 
which  one  or  more  species  of  May  Beetles  do  not  abound, 
and  the  larvae  or  grubs  of  all  are  destructive  to  the  roots 
of  various  plants,  and  especially  those  of  the  Strawberry. 
These  grubs,  when  fully  grown,  are  from  an  inch  to  an 
inch  aiid  a  half  long,  of  a  whitish  color,  and  with  brown 
heads.  They  are  commonly  known 
as  White  Grubs,  without  regard  to 
species.  The  most  abundant  in  the 
Eastern  States  is  Lachnosterna  fusca 
of  Frolieh,  a  large  brownish  beetle, 
figure  25,  which  usually  appears 
Fig.  25.— MAT  BEETLE,  about  the  first  of  May,  or  a  little 
later,  hence  the  common  name. 
There  are  also  several  other  species,  more  or  less  abun- 
dant, and.  appearing  at  the  same  time,  but  as  all  are 
similar  in  habits,  they  may  be  considered  as  one. 

These  grubs  are  usually  more  numerous  in  old  dry 
pastures  and  meadows  than  elsewhere,  because  their  prin- 
cipal food  is  the  roots  of  different  kinds  of  grass.  The 
old  sods  afford  protection  against  the  birds  and  animals 
which  devour  them ;  consequently  they  often  become 
very  abundant  in  such  places.  If  these  grass  lands  are 
plowed  and  planted  with  the  Strawberry,  the  grubs  will 
attack  the  roots,  and,  if  numerous,  will  destroy  every 
plant  almost  as  soon  as  it  is  put  in  the  ground.  In  some 
sections  of  the  country  th*e  white  grub  has  very  materially 
checked  the  cultivation  of  the  Strawberry.  The  only 
remedy  with  which  I  am  acquainted  is,  to  occupy  the 
ground  with  some  crop  which  requires  considerable  hoe- 
ing and  cultivation,  for  two  or  three  years  before  plant- 
ing with  the  Strawberry. 

The  grub  is  three  or  four  years  in  attaining  its  growth, 


STRAWBERKT.  85 

and  by  continually  manipulating  the  soil  they  are  ex- 
posed to  the  attacks  of  birds,  and  many  are  destroyed  by 
crushing;  besides  this,  the  Beetles  will  seldom  deposit 
their  eggs  in  freshly  disturbed  soil.  As  all  the  May 
Beetles  are  nocturnal  in  habit,  many  may  be  taken  by 
using  tubs  of  water  with  a  floating  light  in  the  center. 
A  few  hundred  taken  every  evening  during  the  first  few 
weeks  of  summer  will  do  something  toward  diminishing 
the  number  of  the  succeeding  generations  in  a  neighbor- 
hood, but  the  birds  and  domestic  fowls  are  the  Straw- 
berry grower's  most  efficient  helpers  in  the  way  of  destroy- 
ing May  Beetles  and  White  Grubs.  The  grubs  are  greedi- 
ly devoured  by  birds  ;  the  Crow  being  exceedingly  fond  of 
them.  This  much  abused  bird  wil-l  always  seek  them  on 
recently  plowed  ground,  where,  I  regret  to  say,  many  a 
Crow  has  lost  his  life  while  devouring  the  White  Grub  ; 
he  was  benefiting  the  cultivator,  who  returned  his  kind- 
ness with  a  death-dealing  bullet.  From  a  pretty  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  habits  of  the  Crow,  having  kept 
several  tame  ones,  I  am  well  satisfied  that  they  are  far 
more  beneficial  than  injurious  to  the  farmer.  A  crow 
will  eat  a  hundred  white  grubs  in  a  day,  after  he  he  has 
had  a  breakfast  of  an  equal  number  of  rose  bugs.  I  do 
not  state  this  as  an  imaginary  case,  but  as  a  simple  fact 
that  I  have  proved  many  times.  From  experience,  I 
firmly  believe  that  the  Crow  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
birds  that  we  possess,  although  he  does  a  little  mischief 
now  and  then  in  the  way  of  pulling  up  corn.  When 
domesticated  he  forgets  those  tricks  of  his  wild  nature, 
and,  not  being  a  timid  bird,  he  is  not  frightened  by  hoe 
or  spade,  but  when  the  earth  is  turned  over  he  is  gener- 
ally there  to  see  and  do  his  duty. 

At  the  time  of  writing  this  book,  my  strawberry  beds 
and  those  of  my  neighbors  had  suffered  more  or  less  by  a 
small  green  worm,  at  that  time  unknown  to  me  or  to  any 
entomologist  of  my  acquaintance.  This  insect  was  quite 


86  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

destructive  to  the  leaves  of  the  plants,  frequently  strip- 
ping a  plantation  of  its  foliage  in  a  few  days.  I  have 
since  ascertained  that  these  worms  are  the  larvae  of  the 
Emphytus  maculatus  of  Norton,  a  small  black  fly,  figure 
26.  This  worm  has  received  the  common  name  of 
"  Strawberry  Worm,"  and  appears  to  have  become  abun- 
dant throughout  the  Northern  States,  and  really  more 
destructive  to  strawberry  plantations  in  the  West  than  at 
the  East.  Prof.  Eiley  figured  and  described  this  insect 
in  vol.  1,  page  90,  of  the  American  Entomologist.  The 
worms  are  of  a  yellowish-green  color,  a  little  over  a 
half  inch  long,  and  when  feeding  are  usually  curled  up, 
with  the  extremity  of  the  body  hanging  down,  as  shown 


Fig.  26.— FLY   OF   THE   STRAWBERRY  Fig.  27. —STRAWBERRY 

WORM — ENLARGED.  WORM. 

in  figure  27.  The  parent  fly  appears  in  our  Northern 
States  early  in  May,  and,  as  I  have  said,  is  of  a  black 
color,  with  two  rows  of  transverse  whitish  spots  upon  the 
abdomen.  The  female  deposits  her  eggs  in  the  leaf  stalks, 
first  puncturing  them  by  means  of  a  saw-like  instrument 
with  which  she  is  provided,  and  thrusting  her  eggs  into 
the  wounds  thus  made.  The  eggs  hatch  in  a  few  days, 
and  the  young  grubs  immediately  attack  the  leaves. 
When  fully  grown  they  descend  into  the  ground,  roll 
themselves  up  in  a  slender  cocoon,  the  pupa  remaining 
within  until  the  following  spring.  Dusting  the  leaves 
with  lime,  when  wet  with  dew,  or  just  after  a  shower,  is 
the  best  method  with  which  I  am  acquainted  for  destroy- 
ing the  pest. 


STRAWBERRY.  87 

Another  leaf  enemy  of  the  Strawberry  is  known  as  the 
"Strawberry  Leaf -roller"  (Anchylopera  frayarice,  Walsh 
and  Riley),  of  which  figure  28,  a,  gives  the  larva  of  nat- 
ural size,  and  b,  the  moth,  enlarged.  This  insect,  like 
the  last,  appears  to  be  more  abundant  at  the  West  than 
eastward.  Still  I  have  frequently  found  it  on  the  plants 
in  my  garden,  and  I  presume  it  is  not  uncommon  in 
strawberry  plantations  throughout  the  country,  but  only 
noticed  when  so  abundant  as  to  strip  the  plants  of  their 
leaves.  In  feeding,  it  folds  up 
the  leaves,  drawing  the  edges  to- 
gether with  silken  threads,  and 
then  eats  out  the  more  tender  or 
pulpy  parts.  Prof.  Riley  ^flfp 
states  that  there  are  two  a 
broods  of  this  insect  dur-  a' Larva ;  &' Moth' 

ing  the  year,  the  worms    Fig"  ^.-STRAWBERRY  LEAF-EOLLEB. 

of  the  first  brood  passing  through  their  transformation  on 
the  leaves,  the  moths  appearing  about  the  first  of  July. 
The  female  moths  deposit  their  eggs  on  the  leaves,  where 
they  soon  hatch,  and  the  worms  commence  their  work ; 
but  those  of  the  second  brood,  when  coming  to  maturity 
late  in  the  fall,  descend  into  the  ground,  change  to  pupae, 
and  remain  in  this  state  until  the  following  spring. 
Owing  to  the  habit  these  worms  have  of  rolling  them- 
selves up  in  the  leaves,  they  are  somewhat  protected  from 
destruction  by  any  dry  or  liquid  application  that  may  be 
made  to  the  plants  for  the  purpose.  Sweeping  the  leaves 
with  a  broom  will  disturb  and  destroy  a  few  of  the  worms, 
but  the  most  rapid  method  of  destruction  is  burning  oft 
the  leaves  after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  or  passing  a  heavy 
roller  over  the  plants  in  time  to  destroy  the  second  or  late 
brood  in  autumn. 

The  Strawberry  Crown  Borer  (Tyloderma  fr  agarics, 
Riley),  is  another  pest  of  the  Strawberry,  more  or  less 
abundant  in  the  Western  States  and  Canada,  but  I  have 


88  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

not  as  yet  discovered  it  in  my  own  grounds,  or  those  of 
my  neighbors.  It  is  a  small  Snout-beetle,  a  veritable  Cur- 
culio,  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  long  and  half  as  broad, 
and  ornamented  on  the  back  as  shown  in 
figure  29,  which  is  an  enlarged  portrait 
of  this  pest.  The  grubs  of  this  beetle 
bore  into  the  crowns  of  the  plants,  as 
its  common  name  indicates,  where  they 
destroy  the  embryo  fruit-stalks  and 
leaves.  The  only  remedy  proposed  is  to 
Fi^.29.  STRAWBER-  Plow  UP  the  infested  plantations  soon 
BY  CROWN  BORER.  after  gathering  the  fruit  in  summer, 
while  the  grubs  are  still  in  the  crowns  of  the  plants. 
The  Snail  or  Slug  which  is  so  abundant  and  destructive 
to  the  Strawberry  and  other  garden  products  in  Europe, 
has  found  its  waj  to  this  country,  and  is  now  quite 
plentiful  in  some  gardens  near  New  York.  These  snails 
are  great  gourmands,  and  will  destroy  the  fruit  in  quanti- 
ties if  they  become  very  plentiful.  Hand  picking,  or 
destroying  them  with  lime,  is  a  pretty  sure  way  of  getting 
rid  of  this  pest. 

The  Plant  Louse  (Aphis),  or  Green  Fly,  as  it  is  usually 
called,  sometimes  becomes  numerous  upon  the  roots  of 
the  Strawberry,  particularly  when  the  soil  is  quite  loose 
and  open,  so  as  to  admit  them  readily  to  the  roots,  upon 
which  they  congregate  in  immense  numbers,  sucking  the 
juices  of  the  plant,  and  thereby  effectually  checking  its 
growth.  A  liberal  application  of  dry  ashes  or  refuse  from 
a  tobacco  factory  will  usually  destroy  them.  The  Aphis 
also  attacks  the  plants  grown  under  glass,  but  they  are 
more  readily  destroyed  than  the  Red  Spider  ( Tetranychus 
telarius),  which  insect  is  often  very  injurious. 

The  best  preventive  of  the  ravages  of  the  Red  Spider 
is  a  moist  atmosphere,  but  when  this  cannot  be  allowed, 
flowers  of  sulphur  should  be  freely  scattered  among  the 
plants  or  upon  the  soil  near  them.  The  fumes  of  melted 


STRAWBERRY.  89 

sulphur  will  make  quick  work  with  them,  but  it  requires 
great  care  in  its  application,  for  should  the  sulphur  take 
fire  and  burn,  the  fumes  will  destroy  the  plants  also. 

Birds  are,  in  some  portions  of  the  country,  very  de- 
structive to  the  Strawberry,  but  I  forbear  to  suggest  a 
remedy,  because  there  are  already  too  many  effectual 
ones  in  use. 

VAEIETIES. 

In  the  following  catalogue  I  have  endeavored  to  give 
the  names,  with  a  concise  description,  of  all  the  varieties 
now  in  cultivation,  which  are  worthy  of  it. 

To  give  a  full  description  of  all  known  varieties  would 
require  a  volume  by  itself,  and  it  is  very  doubtful  if, 
when  such  a  list  was  made,  any  one  would  take  the  trou- 
ble to  peruse  it.  It  is  such  an  easy  matter  to  raise  new 
varieties,  that  a  few  men  seem  to  have  gone  into  -the 
business,  not  for  the  purpose  of  improvement,  but  mainly 
to  see  how  many  varieties  they  could  produce,  and  so  they 
name  each  new  seedling,  and  give  it  a  glowing  description, 
whether  it  is  worthy  of  cultivation  or  not. 

Now,  while  I  would  not  suppress  any  information  that 
would  benefit  the  public,  I  do  not  feel  called  upon  to  rec- 
ommend or  give  the  names  of  all  varieties  that  have 
appeared  in  the  catalogues  of  some  few  of  our  Strawberry 
growers,  especially  of  those  who  appear  to  always  have 
ready,  if  we  were  to  believe  them,  some  wonderful  variety 
for  every  annual  edition  of  their  catalogues. 

Our  enterprising  fruit  growers  are  supposed  to  know  and 
procure  the  best  varieties,  and  when  one  has  been  before 
the  public  for  from  five  to  ten  years,  and  then  it  is  not 
found  in  general  cultivation,  it  may  be  safe  to  conclude 
that  the  fruit  grower  lacks  confidence  in  the  originator, 
and  consequently  does  not  purchase  it,  or  that  it  has 
been  tried  and  discarded.  The  reader,  if  he  has  followed 
me  through  the  preceding  pages,  will  have  noticed  that 


90 


SMALL  FRUIT  CTJLTUEIST. 


I  recognize  among  cultivated  varieties  but  two  sexes, 
viz.  :  Perfect  or  Bi-sexual,  and  the  Pistillate  varieties. 
The  latter  kinds  are  marked  pistillate  ;  all  not  so  desig- 
nated are  perfect,  and  will  bear  fruit  without  the  aid  of 
others  to  fertilize  them. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   VARIETIES. 

The  following  are  varieties  of  Fragaria  grandiflora  and 
F.  Virginiana.  Some  of  them  show  more  of  the  pecu- 
liar characteristics  of  one  species  than  of  the  other,  while 
with  a  few  it  would  be  difficult  to  tell  to  which  they  were 
related,  and  it  is  very  probable  that  they  are  a  mixture 
of  both.  They  were  all  produced  in  this  country,  and 
are  called  native  varieties  : 

Agriculturist. — Very  large,  irregular,  conical,  with  long 
neck,  large  specimens  often  flat- 
tened or  coxcomb  shaped;  color 
light  reddish  crimson  ;  flesh  deep 
red,  moderately  firm,  sweet,  rich 
and  good ;  plant  a  very  strong 
grower;  leaves  large,  thick,  dark 
green,  with  reddish  petiole  ;  hardy 
and  productive,  and  succeeds  re- 
markably well  on  light  sandy  soils, 
as  well  as  on  those  that  are  heavy. 
A  valuable  variety.  Figure  30 
shows  a  fruit  of  medium  size  in 
ordinary  field  culture.  Originated 
Fig.  30.-AGBicm/ruRisT.  with  Seth  Boy(jen,  Newark,  N,  J. 

Austin  or  Shaker. — Superseded  by  better  sorts.  Origi- 
nated among  the  Shakers  at  Watervliet,  N.  Y. 

Albion  White.— See  Lennig's  White. 
Belle. — A  new  variety,  which  originated  with  J.   B. 
Moore.     I  have  not  seen  it,  and  only  know  of  it  bv  re- 


STRAWBERRY.  91 

ports  of  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  where  it  is 
referred  to  as  "very large,"  or  as  "the  largest  Strawberry 
ever  exhibited  on  the  Society's  tables." 

Bidwell. — Very  large,  conical ;  bright  scarlet ;  flesh 
firm ;  quality  excellent.  A  vigorous  grower  and  plants 
are  reported  to  be  very  productive.  A  new  variety  not 
fully  tested. 

Black  Defiance. — Large,  irregular  in  shape ;  dark 
glossy  crimson ;  flesh  moderately  firm  ;  high-flavored. 
Only  moderately  productive.  The  color  is  objectionable, 
as  the  berries,  soon  after  gathering,  assume  a  dull,  stale 
appearance.  Originated  with  E.  W.  Durand. 

Boston  Pine  (Bartlett.) — Medium  to  large,  obtuse- 
conical  ;  color  light  crimson ;  flesh  but  slightly  colored, 
firm,  sweet,  most  excellent ;  fruit  stalks  very  long ;  plant 
vigorous  and  productive  ;  a  fine  market  variety  ;  ripens 
early  ;  succeeds  in  both  light  and  heavy  soils,  and  is  very 
hardy.  Originated  with  C.  M.  Hovey,  Boston,  Mass. 

Brighton  Pine. — Medium  to  large,  roundish-conical, 
with  short  neck  ;  color  light  crimson  ;  flesh  rather  soft, 
sweet  and  juicy ;  plant  strong,  vigorous  and  moderately 
productive ;  early.  Originated  with  Mr.  T.  Scott,  of 
Brighton,  Mass. 

Burr's  New  Pine. — Once  a  very  celebrated  variety,  but 
is  now  seldom  seen  in  cultivation.  Originated  with  Mr. 
Burr,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Buffalo, — See  McAvoy's  Superior. 

Brooklyn  Scarlet. — Medium  to  large,  regular,  conical, 
with  neck  ;  color  bright  scarlet ;  flesh  rather  soft,  sweet 
and  rich  ;  quality  best ;  plant  a  dwarf  grower,  producing 
very  large  stools,  hardy,  vigorous  and  productive  ;  one  of 
the  best  for  home  use.  Originated  with  A.  S.  Fuller, 
in  1859,  from  seed  of  Peabody  Seedling.  One  of  the 
three  "New  York  Tribune"  prize  varieties. 


9%  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

Baltimore  Scarlet, — See  Scotch  Runner. 

Captain  Jack, — Medium  or  small,  regular,  short  coni* 
cal ;  bright  scarlet ;  flesh  pink,  firm ;  poor  in  quality. 
A  vigorous  and  productive  variety,  more  highly  prized  at 
the  West  than  at  the  East.  Originated  with  Samuel 
Miller,  Bluffton,  Mo. 

Caroline, — Large,  conical ;  bright  scarlet ;  quality  good ; 
plants  rather  feeble,  and  only  moderately  productive. 
Not  fully  tested.  Originated  with  J.  B.  Moore,  Concord, 
Mass. 

Centennial  Favorite, — One  of  Mr.  Durand's  seedlings, 
of  large  size,  irregular  shape,  but  scarcely  possessing 
sufficient  merit  to  entitle  it  to  a  prominent  position 
among  better  and  more  prolific  sorts. 

Champion,  (Windsor  Chief.) — Large,  round;  bright 
crimson ;  flesh  rather  soft ;  inferior  in  quality,  but  the 
plants  are  so  vigorous  and  productive  that  this  is  con- 
sidered a  very  profitable  market  variety ;  pistillate. 
Originated  with  Dr.  J.  0.  Neff,  Carlisle,  Pa. 

Charles  Downing, — Medium  to  large,  round,  obtuse- 
conical  ;  very  regular  in  form ;  bright  scarlet,  becoming 
darker  when  fully  ripe ;  flesh  moderately  firm,  pink, 
juicy,  with  a  rich,  sprightly  sub-acid  flavor.  One  of  the 
very  best  varieties  in  cultivation.  The  plants  are  vigor- 
ous, wonderfully  productive,  and  succeed  admirably  on 
light  soils,  and  bear  profusely  even  in  thick  matted  beds. 
Originated  with  the  late  J.  S.  Downer,  of  Fairview,  Ky., 
and  named  in  honor  of  the  Veteran  Pomologist  of  New- 
burgh,  N.  Y. 

Cinderella, — Large,  conical;  bright  scarlet,  glossy; 
moderately  firm ;  of  second-rate  flavor.  Plants  only 
moderately  productive.  A  handsome  and  attractive  va- 
riety. Originated  with  Oscar  Felton,  of  New  Jersey, 
who  has  also  raised  several  other  sorts. 


STRAWBERRY. 


93 


Col.  Cheney, — Small,  long-conical ;  bright  scarlet ; 
flesh  soft,  watery,  poor  flavor ;  plants  vigorous  and  pro- 
ductive. A  poor  thing  at  best,  although  it  has  been 
highly  praised  by  certain  dealers  who  were  anxious  to  sell 
plants.  Pistillate. 

Col.  Ellsworth, — Superseded  by  better  sorts.  Dis- 
carded, because  unproductive. 

Continental. — A  large,  dark  crimson  berry ;  said  to  be 
of  good  flavor  and  the  plants  very  productive.  I  give 
this  only  on  hearsay  evidence,  not  having  seen  the  plants 
growing. 

Crescent  Seedling,  (Figure  31.) — Medium  to  large, 
somewhat  irregular  conical ;  bright  scarlet  j  flesh  rather 
soft  for  a  market  berry,  but 
will  do  for  short  distances, 
or  when  carefully  handled ; 
quality  fair,  not  rich  ;  the 
plants,  however,  are  of  such 
a  vigorous  growth  and  so 
productive  that  this  variety 
has  become  quite  a  favorite 
among  cultivators  for  market. 
Originated  with  Mr.  William 
Parmelee,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
This  is  quite  a  different  berry 
from  the  old  and  long  since  Fi£- 

discarded  "Crescent  Seedling,"  which  originated  at  the 
South. 

Crimson  Cone.  (Pine  Apple,  Scotch  Runner,  etc.)— 
Medium,  regular,  conical,  with  long  neck ;  seeds  deeply 
imbedded;  color  light,  bright  crimson;  flesh  firm, 
sprightly  acid,  with  a  rich  flavor,  and  highly  perfumed. 
Figure  32  shows  a  fruit  of  the  usual  size.  One  of  the 
best  Strawberries  in  cultivation,  although  too  small  and 
acid  to  suit  some  people.  This  is  one  of  the  old  market 


94  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

kinds,  and  there  are  probably  more  acres  of  it  in  cultiva- 
tion for  furnishing  the  New  York  market,  than  of  all 
others  put  together.  The  flowers  are  perfect,  and  not 
pistillate,  as  has  often  been  asserted. 
There  is,  however,  another  variety  which 
is  generally  found  mixed  with  it,  and 
also  called  Scotch  Eunner,  which  has 
pistillate  flowers.  The  latter  variety  is 
the  true  Scotch  Runner,  for  which  see 
description. 

Crystal  City, — A  new  Western  variety ; 
handsome  bright  scarlet,  but  very  indif- 
.  32— CBIMSON      ferent  in  quality.     I  have  no  informa- 
CONE.  tion   in   regard  to  its   origin  or  value, 

except  some  brief  notices  which  have  appeared  in  western 
papers,  and  in  a  few  catalogues.     Said  to  be  very  early. 

Cumberland  Triumph. — Large,  smooth,  and  uniform  in 
shape  ;  light  bright  scarlet ;  flesh  pale  pink,  soft,  but  of 
good  flavor.  A  very  handsome,  vigorous  grower ;  the 
leaves  deep  glossy  green,  quite  distinct.  Requires  a  strong 
fertile  soil.  A  valuable  variety  for  amateurs,  or  for  home 
use,  but  too  soft  for  market.  Originated  with  Mr.  Amos 
Miller,  Carlisle,  Pa. 

Damask  Beauty. — The  only  reference  to  this  variety 
we  have  seen  is  by  E.  P.  Roe,  who  says  it  is  "a  very 
distinct  variety  and  interesting  to  amateurs,  but  of  no 
great  value."  But  just  why  it  is  "interesting"  we  are 
not  informed. 

Downer's  Prolific, — Medium  to  large,  globular,  light 
scarlet;  seeds  deeply  imbedded;  flesh  rather  soft,  acid, 
not  rich,  but  highly  perfumed ;  very  early,  hardy,  and 
wonderfully  prolific.  An  excellent  old  market  variety, 
provided  the  market  is  near  by.  Originated  with  J.  S. 
Downer,  Fairview,  Kentucky. 

Duchess. — Large,  roundish,  uniform ;   bright  scarlet ; 


STKAWBEKRY. 


95 


flesh  pink,  moderately  firm,  good  flavor,  but  not  best ; 
ripens  early ;  plants  vigorous,  and  very  hardy  and  pro- 
ductive. This  variety  has  an  excellent  reputation  among 
those  who  raise  fruit  for  market.  Originated  with  D.  H. 
Barnes,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

Duncan. — Medium,  slightly  conical,  although  often 
quite  variable  in  form  and  size  ;  bright  scarlet ;  firm,  ex- 
cellent flavor.  A  productive  and  valuable  market  berry. 
Originated  with  J.  G-.  Lucas,  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Durand's  Seedling. — Large,  oblong,  or  oblong-conical, 
sometimes  flattened ;  seeds  but  slightly  sunken ;  color 
scarlet;  flesh  firm,  solid,  nearly  white,  of  good  flavor. 


Fig.  33.— DTJBAND. 


Fig.  34. — DURAND. 


Originated  with  Mr.  F.  W.  Burand,  near  Irvington,  K  J. 
Figures  33  and  34  give  a  fair  representation  of  two  of  the 
berries,  showing  its  variableness  in  form. 

Early  Scarlet,— Medium,  conical;  light  scarlet ;  flesh 
firm,  moderately  acid.  An  old  variety,  but  little  culti- 
vated at  the  present  time. 

Fillmore,— Large,  obtuse-conical;  dark  crimson;  sweet. 


96 


SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 


moderately  rich  and  good.  In  deep,  rich  soils  this  va- 
riety produces  a  fair  crop,  but  it  is  not  generally  popular 
among  fruit  growers.  Pistillate.  Originated  with  Samuel 
Feast,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Forest  Rose.  —  Large,  irregular,  obtuse-conical  ;  bright 
scarlet  ;  flesh  firm,  of  good 
flavor  ;  a  superior  market  berry, 
but  unfortunately  it  does  not 
appear  to  be  well  adapted  to  all 
kinds  of  soils  and  locations. 
Where  it  succeeds  it  will  rank 
high  for  market  purposes  as 
well  as  for  home  use.  An  ac- 
cidental seedling,  introduced 
by  a  Mr.  Fetters,  of  Lancaster, 
Ohio.  Figure  35  gives  a  good 
idea  of  the  size  of  this  va- 
riety. From  "American  Agri- 
culturist," 1878. 
General  Meridian.  —  See  McAvoy's  Superior. 
Olendale*  —  Large,  oblong-conic  ;  bright  scarlet  ;  flesh 

firm,  with  a  brisk  sub-acid  flavor  ;  a 

vigorous  grower  and  a  very  produc- 

tive,   new  variety,    promising   well 

for  market.     Introduced  by  Mr.  W. 

B.  Storer,  who  found  it  growing  in 

the  cemetery  at  Akron,  Ohio. 

Golden  Defiance.  —  Large,  obtuse- 
conical  ;  bright  scarlet  ;  flesh  mod- 
erately firm  and  of  excellent  flavor  ; 
ripens  quite  late  ;  plants  very  vigor- 
ous, hardy,  and  productive.  Prom- 
ises  to  be  a  valuable  acquisition  to 
our  list  of  good  sorts.  Pistillate.  Originated  with  Mr. 
Amos  Miller,  of  Pennsylvania.  (Figure  36.) 


Fig.  35. — FOREST  ROSE. 


Fig>  36.—  GOLDEN 
DEFIANCE. 


STRAWBERRY. 


Golden  Seeded, — Medium  to  large,  bluntly-conical, 
sometimes  flattened  ;  dark  crimson,  with  prominent  yel- 
low seeds  ;  sweet  and  rich  ;  early,  but  succeeds  only  in  a 
few  localities  and  soils.  It  is  prob- 
ably a  seedling  of  a  foreign  variety. 
Originated  in  Canada  with  Mr.  Read. 
Figure  37  shows  the  form  and  size 
of  a  medium  sized  specimen. 

Great  American* — Extra  large, 
irregularly  oval ;  dark  crimson  ; 
flesh  moderately  firm,  second-rate  in 
flavor,  but  under  high  culture  and 
in  the  originator's  grounds  it  has 
yielded  some  of  the  largest  berries 
i?ig.37.-Gou>EN  SEEDED,  ever  seen  in  this  country.  Although 
this  variety  caused  considerable  ex- 
citement among  strawberry  growers  when  first  exhibited, 
it  was  soon  discovered  that  it  required  extra  culture  to 
produce  extra  sized  berries.  It  has  fallen  far  short  of 
what  was  expected  of  it  when  it  was  first  introduced. 
Originated  with  Mr.  F.  W.  Durand. 

Green  Prolific.  (Newark  Prolific.)  —  Very  large, 
round ;  pale  crimson  or  deep 
scarlet ;  seeds  slightly  sunken  ; 
rather  soft,  very  acid,  without 
richness,  and  of  inferior  flavor ; 
fruit  stalks  long  and  stout ; 
leaves  very  large  and  thick ; 
one  of  the  Iowa  class  ;  vigorous 
and  productive.  Originated 
with  Seth  Boyden,  Newark,  N. 
J.  Figure  38  shows  a  berry  Fig.  SS.-GBEEN  PROLIPIO. 
of  the  average  size  under  good  culture. 

Hervey  Davis. — Large,  obtuse-conical ;  bright  scarlet ; 
flesh  moderately  firm,  nearly  white,  flavor  good ;   season 
6 


98  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 

medium ;  plants  tall,  vigorous,  and  productive.  Origi- 
nated with  J.  B.  Moore,  Concord,  Mass. 

Hooker. — Large,  short,  obtuse-conical,  nearly  globular; 
dark  crimson  ;  very  sweet  and  rich  ;  too  soft  and  dark 
colored  for  market,  but  a  fine  variety  for  the  amateur. 
The  plants  are  a  little  tender,  and  should  always  be  pro- 
tected in  winter  to  insure  a  good  crop.  Originated  with 
H.  E.  Hooker,  Eochester,  N.  Y. 

Hovey.  (Germantown,  Young's  Seedling.) — Large, 
conical ;  bright  crimson,  handsome  ;  sub-acid,  sprightly, 
good.  An  old  and  much  esteemed  variety,  and  largely 
cultivated  for  supplying  the  Boston  market.  Pistillate. 
Originated  with  0.  M.  Hovey,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1834. 

Huddleston's  Favorite. — This  variety  has  been  dis- 
seminated by  E.  Y.  Teas,  Dunreith,  Ind.,  who  describes 
it  as  a  very  large  berry  ;  bright  crimson  ;  firm  flesh,  with 
a  rich,  spicy  flavor.  Said  to  be  a  vigorous  grower  and 
wonderfully  prolific.  Pistillate. 

Kentucky. — This  is  another  of  Mr.  Downer's  produc- 
tions, and,  like  all  those  disseminated  by  him,  of  consider- 
able value.  Large,  conical ;  bright  scarlet ;  flesh  white, 
moderately  firm,  excellent  flavor ;  ripens  late,  and  con- 
tinues in  fruit  a  long  time  ;  plants  grow  rather  tall,  but 
are  vigorous,  hardy,  and  prolific.  A  valuable  variety, 
which  has  been  fully  tested  over  a  wide  extent  of  coun- 
try. Succeeds  well  on  light  as  well  as  heavy  soils. 

Ladies9  Pine. — Small  to  medium,  round  ;  pale  orange- 
scarlet,  with  a  slight  crimson  tint  in  the  sun  ;  seeds  rather 
prominent ;  flesh  soft,  sweet  and  rich,  highly  perfumed, 
probably  the  most  delicious  flavored  variety  known.  Ee- 
quires  extra  culture,  and  even  then  it  is  not  very  produc- 
tive ;  nevertheless  it  is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  most 
select  collection.  Pistillate.  Originated  in  Canada,  with 
Mr.  Eead. 

Lady  Finger. — Medium,  elongated,  conical ;  color  bril- 


STRAWBERRY.  99 

liant  dark  scarlet ;  seeds  set  in  a  deep  open  cavity ;  flesh 
very  firm,  sub-acid,  good ;  plant  hardy,  vigorous  and 
prolific.  An  excellent  market  variety.  Originated  with 
the  late  Benjamin  Prosser,  Burlington,  New  Jersey. 


Fig.  39. — LADY  FINGER.  Fig.  40. — LADY  FINGER. 

Figure  39  shows  a  berry  of  this  variety  of  medium  size, 
and  figure  40  one  of  the  largest. 

Lady  of  the  Lake. — Medium,  conical,  with  neck ; 
crimson ;  flesh  light  colored,  firm,  not  very  juicy,  but 
moderately  good ;  plant  tall  and  vigorous,  productive. 
Formerly  quite  a  favorite  in  Boston  market.  Originated 
in  Brighton,  Mass. 

Laurel  Leaf, — A  new  variety,  of  which  little  is  yet 
known.  Described  as  of  medium  size,  slightly  conical, 
with  short  neck  ;  light  scarlet ;  in  flavor  good,  but  not 
superior  ;  plant  only  moderately  vigorous  and  produc- 
tive. Originated  with  Mr.  A.  N.  Jones,  Le  Roy,  N".  Y. 

Longfellow. — Very  large,  elongated-conical,  somewhat 
irregular  ;  dark  glossy  red  ;  flesh  firm,  sweet  and  rich  ; 
plant  vigorous,  with  large,  healthy  foliage,  and  with- 
standing the  hot  sun  admirably.  Productive  and  con- 
tinuing a  long  time  in  bearing.  Originated  with  Mr.  H. 
D.  Webb,  Bowling  Green,  Ky. 


100  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTUfllST. 

Lennig's  White.  (Albion  White,  White  Pine  Apple.) 
— Large,  obtuse-conical ;  seeds  prominent,  and  of  a  pink 
or  light  crimson  color ;  fruit  almost  white,  but  with  a 
delicate  blush  when  exposed  to  the  sun  ;  flesh  pure  white, 
melting,  rich  and  sweet ;  plant  a  vigorous  grower,  and 
moderately  productive.  This  is  evidently  a  seedling  of 
Fragaria  grandiflora,  but  one  of  the  most  hardy  and 
productive,  and,  without  doubt,  the  best  white  variety 
known  in  this  country.  It  has  been  disseminated  under 
several  names,  either  through  mistake  or  design.  I  re- 
ceived it  under  the  three  different  names,  and  the  lots 
being  cultivated  in  separate  beds,  I,  like  many  others, 
thought  that  they  were  distinct,  until  beds  were  pre- 
pared in  a  similar  soil,  and  the  same  cultivation  given  to 
each,  after  which  no  difference  could  be  discovered.  I 
have  since  learned  through  Mr.  Meehan,  editor  of  the 
"Gardener's  Monthly,"  that  the  supposed  three  varieties 
were  all  taken  from  the  garden  of  the  originator,  Mr. 
Lennig,  of  Germantown,  Pa. 

Long  worth's  Prolific, — Large,  roundish,  oval  or  oblate; 
light  crimson  ;  sprightly  sub-acid,  and  good ;  plant  vigor- 
ous and  productive.  An  old  variety  but  little  cultivated, 
although  it  is  far  superior  to  many  new  ones.  Originated 
in  the  garden  of  the  late  Nicholas  Long  worth,  of  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. 

McAvoy's  Superior. — Large,  irregular,  roundish,  the 
surface  being  uneven,  with  prominent  projections ; 
color  varying  from  light  to  very  dark  crimson ;  the 
flesh  dark  red,  soft,  sweet,  variable,  in  some  soils  rich 
and  sprightly,  in  others  insipid ;  vigorous,  and  usually 
very  productive.  Pistillate.  The  originator  of  this 
variety  was  awarded  a  $100  prize  by  the  Cincinnati  Horti- 
cultural Society,  about  thirty  years  ago,  but  it  has  now 
become  obsolete,  and  was  long  since  discarded.  I  retain 
in  the  list  on  account  of  its  history. 


STRAWBERRY.  101 

Marvin. — Large,  elongated,  somewhat  beyond  what  is 
usually  termed  conical ;  bright  crimson ;  flesh  firm,  but 
juicy,  rich,  and  high-flavored  ;  plant  vigorous,  stocky, 
and  productive.  A  very  promising  new  variety.  Origi- 
nated with  Mr.  Henry  Marvin,  Ovid,  Mich. 

Miner's  Great  Prolific. — Large  to  very  large;  some- 
what irregular,  but  inclining  to  a  globular  form ;  deep 
crimson ;  flesh  pinkish,  firm,  and  of  good  flavor ;  plant 
vigorous,  leaves  large,  light  green,  quite  glossy.  A  pro- 
ductive and  valuable  variety,  although  the  irregular  form 
of  the  berries  is  somewhat  against  it  for  marketing. 
Originated  with  the  late  T.  B.  Miner,  Linden,  N.  J. 

Monarch  of  the  West, — Extra  large  ;  globular,  but 
often  coxcombed ;  pale  red ;  flesh  soft,  excellent  flavor  ; 
plant  vigorous  on  good  soils,  but  only  moderately  pro- 
ductive. Valuable  for  its  large  size  and  good  flavor. 
Originated  with  Mr.  Jesse  Brady,  of  Piano,  111. 

Nicanor. — Medium  to  small ;  conical ;  scarlet ;  flesh 
with  a  reddish  tinge  throughout,  firm,  juicy,  and  of  ex- 
cellent flavor ;  ripens  early  ;  the  plants  in  my  grounds 
have  always  been  weak  and  unproductive.  Still,  I  have 
seen  them  in  rather  heavy  clay  soils  quite  vigorous  and 
carrying  a  heavy  crop  of  fruit.  Originated  with  Messrs. 
Ellwanger  &  Barry,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

New  Dominion. — A  new  variety  unknown  to  me,  but 
described  by  the  disseminators  of  the  plants  as  very  large ; 
globular;  bright  glossy  red;  flesh  firm,  and  of  good 
flavor.  Originated  with  Mr.  0.  N".  Biggar,  on  the  battle- 
field of  Lundy's  Lane. 

Neunan's  Prolific. — Large  under  high  cultivation,  but 
ordinarily  only  medium  or  small ;  obtuse-conical ;  light 
scarlet,  with  a  short  neck  ;  very  firm,  rather  acid,  but 
good  when  fully  mature  ;  plants  strong,  vigorous,  and  pro- 
ductive. A  very  popular  variety  in  the  South,  where  it 
is  extensively  cultivated  for  shipping  to  northern  mark- 


X02 


SMALL  PRUIT   CULTUEIST. 


ets,  where  it  may  be  seen  among  the  first  Strawberries  of 
the  season.  Originated  by  a  Mr.  Neunan,  of  Charleston, 
S.  C. 

New  Jersey  Scarlet. — Medium ;  conical ;  light  bright 
scarlet,  with  long  neck ;  moderately 
firm,  sprightly  flavor,  and  good  ;  very 
early  and  productive ;  the  plant  a 
strong  and  vigorous  grower.  Succeeds 
admirably  on  the  light  sandy  soils  of 
New  Jersey.  An  excellent  market 
variety.  See  figure  41  for  size  and 
form.  Originated  near  Burlington, 
New  Jersej. 

Old  John  Brown. — Very  large; 
broadly  conic,  pointed;  light  crim- 
son ;  sweet,  sprightly,  and  good. 
Originated  with  Dr.  H.  Schroeder, 
Bloomington,  Illinois. 

Orient. — Very  large,  and  claimed  to  be  the  largest 
variety  in  cultivation ;  roundish -conical,  sometimes  a 
little  irregular  ;  bright  scarlet,  with  glossy  surface  ;  flesh 
white,  moderately  firm,  quality  ex- 
cellent ;  plant  vigorous  and  pro- 
ductive, the  fruit  continuing  of 
good  size  to  the  end  of  the  season. 
A  seedling  of  the  Monarch  of  the 
West,  raised  by  Mr.  Oscar  Felton, 
in  1876,  and  is  one  of  several  new 
varieties  shown  by  him  at  the  Cen- 
tennial Exhibition. 

Perry's  Seedling. — Medium  to 
large,  globular,  with  a  slight  neck  ; 
color  bright  crimson  ;  sweet,  rich,          Flg>  43*~ PEBBT- 
and  sprightly.     Raised  by  Geo.  Perry  &  Sons,  George- 
town, Conn.     See  figure  42. 


41.— NEW  JERSEY 
SCARLET. 


STRAWBERRY. 


103 


Pioneer. — Medium  ;  oval,  with  a  long  neck ;  bright 
scarlet ;  s  sveet,  and  highly  perfumed.  Very  early,  and 
appears  to  be  gaining  friends  as  it  becomes  better  known. 
One  of  Mr.  Durand's  seedlings,  which  has  not  as  yet  been 
widely  disseminated,  although  it  has  been  for  some  time 
under  cultivation. 

President  Wilder,  —Medium  ;  obtusely-conical,  very 
regular  ;  seeds  yellow ;  skin  bright  glossy  scarlet ;  flesh 
firm,  but  juicy,  and  very  high  flavored.  A  very  hand- 
some variety,  but  with  me  the  foliage  burns  in  summer, 
and  for  this  reason,  perhaps,  the  plants  have  never  proved 
to  be  sufficiently  prolific  to  warrant  cultivation.  In 
heavy  or  cool  soils  this  would  no  doubt  prove  to  be  a 
valuable  addition  to  even  the  most  select  list  of  Straw- 
berries. Originated  with  the  Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder, 
Dorchester,  Mass.,  in  1861. 

Russell's  Prolific* — Very  large ;  irregular,  roundish- 
conical,  with  neck ; 
deep  crimson ;  mod- 
erately firm,  sweet, 
and  perfumed;  qual- 
ity good,  in  sandy 
soils  very  good  ;  the 
flesh  is  lighter  color- 
ed than  the  skin ; 
leaves  large,  with 
wavy  upper  surface; 
lobes  broadly  ovate. 
Pistillate.  Origi- 
nated with  H.  Rus- 
sell, of  Seneca  Falls, 
IS!  ew  York,  in  1856. 

Satin  Gloss,— Me- 
dium      to       large;  Fig.  43. -SATIN  GLOSS. 

rather  long-conical ;  calyx  very  large  ;  bright  glossy  ver- 
milion ;  flesh  firm,  of  good  flavor.     The  large  calyy  and 


104  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

firm  flesh  of  this  variety  make  it  an  excellent  fruit  for 
shipping,  as  it  is  not  likely  to  become  braised  during 
tr.msit.  Originated  with  Mr.  Oscar  Felton,  from  seed 
of  the  Lady  Finger.  Figure  43 — from  "American  Agri- 
culturist," 1880. 

Scotch  Riiiiupr. — Small;  oval;  bright  scarlet ;  good 
flavor.  Largely  cultivated  for  market  in  New  Jersey,  but 
should  have  been  discarded  long  ago,  and 
its  place  filled  by  larger  and  better  varie- 
ties. Pistillate.  Figure  44  shows  one 
of  the  berries  of  full  size. 

Scett's  Seedling.  (Scarlet  Runner.)— 
Medium  ;  elongated-conical ;  bright  light 
scarlet,  very  handsome  ;  sweet,  rather  dry, 
not  high  flavored,  but  good ;  plants  moder- 
ately vigorous  and  productive.  An  old 
Fig.  44~^scoTCH  variety,  but  little  cultivated  at  present ; 
yet  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  berries 
we  possess.  Requires  good  culture,  and  with  it  will 
yield  an  abundant  crop.  Originated  about  twenty  years 
ago  with  J.  Scott,  of  Brighton,  Mass. 

Seth  Boydcn.  (Boydea's  No.  30.) — Very  large;  irregu- 
lar-conical, with  long  neck  ;  dull  crimson  ;  flesh  firm, 
rather  dry,  but  sweot  and  of  good  flavor ;  plant  extra 
strong  and  vigorous,  and  quite  prolific  when  grown  in 
hills,  but  otherwise  unproductive.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
market  varieties  in  cultivation,  and  under  good  care  and 
in  rich  soils,  berries  of  immense  size  are  readily  produced. 
Originated  with  the  late  Seth  Boyden,  of  Newark,  N.  J., 
and  disseminated  by  him  as  No.  30  of  his  seedlings,  but 
since  his  death,  b/  common  consent,  it  has  been  given 
the  name  of  the  originator. 

Sharpless. — This  is  another  mammoth  variety,  and  a 
genuine  surprise  to  Strawberry  growers  generally,  because 
it  has  proved  to  be  all  that  was  claimed  for  it  at  the  time 


STRAWBERKY.  105 

of  dissemination.  Uniformly  very  large  ;  often  broadly 
wedge-form,  wider  at  the  base  than  at  calyx  ;  light  glossy 
red ;  flesh  firm,  but  juicy,  rich,  and  highly  perfumed ; 
plants  vigorous  and  productive.  One  of  the  best.  I  re- 
ceived some  of  the  first  plants  sent  out  by  the  originator 
of  this  fine  variety,  and  they  succeed  admirably,  never 
failing  to  produce  a  good  crop.  Originated  with  J.  K. 
Sharpless,  near  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1872. 

White  Pine  Apple.— See  Lennig's  White. 

Wilson's  Albany,  —  Large  ;  irregular-conical ;  dark 
Crimson ;  flesh  firm,  very  acid,  but  good,  and  bears  trans- 
portation well.  One  of  the  most  productive  varieties 
known.  The  plants  will  usually  fail  after  producing  one 
full  crop,  and  the  beds  should  be  frequently  renewed. 
This  variety  has  probably  done  more  towards  advancing 
Strawberry  culture  in  this  country  than  any  other  variety 
that  has  appeared  since  the  Hovey.  Originated  with 
John  Wilson,  Albany,  New  York. 

MISCELLANEOUS  VARIETIES. 

Within  the  past  few  years  new  varieties  of  the  Straw- 
berry have  been  raised  in  such  immense  numbers  that  it 
would  be  impossible  for  any  one  man,  or  half  dozen  men, 
to  test  them  all  and  learn  their  merits,  or  faults.  But  I 
may  safely  assert  that  not  one  in  a  hundred  of  these  new 
kinds  is  an  improvement  upon  the  older  and  well  known 
sorts.  It  is  quite  natural  that  the  raiser  of  a  new  variety 
.should  look  upon  it  with  favor,  and  somewhat  magnify 
its  merits,  for  there  are  few  Strawberries  that  do  not 
possess  some  good  qualities.  It  is  an  old  saying  that 
"some  Strawberries  are  better  than  others,  but  all  are 
good,  and  none  actually  bad."  The  success  of  a  few 
originators  of  new  varieties,  and  the  ease  with  which 
seedlings  can  be  produced,  have  prompted  hundreds  of 
amateur  and  professional  cultivators  to  try  their  luck  in 


106  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

this  direction ;  as  a  result,  there  are  hundreds  of  varieties 
named  and  offered  for  sale  which  are  not  worthy  of  any 
consideration.  In  addition  to  these  worthless  new  sorts, 
old  and  well  known  varieties  of  merit  will  often  appear 
in  a  garden,  which  the  owner  has  no  knowledge  of  ever 
having  purchased  or  planted.  Their  presence  may  be 
readily  accounted  for  upon  the  supposition  that  they 
have  been  introduced  with  other  sorts,  or  a  few  plants 
have  come,  attached  to  the  roots  of  some  tree  or  shrub 
received  from  a  nursery  or  neighbor's  garden.  The  extra 
care  and  attention  naturally  bestowed  upon  these  waifs 
when  found  growing  in  some  out-of-the-way  place,  has  a 
tendency  to  strengthen  the  finder's  belief  that  they 
are  really  new,  because  the  care  given  them  usually 
produces  good  if  not  great  results.  The  Eomeyn  Seed- 
ling is  one  of  these  waifs,  which  I  pronounced  Triomphe 
de  Gand  the  first  time  the  fruit  and  plants  were  shown 
in  New  York,  and  although  I  was  roundly  abused  for 
my  presumption,  the  Romeyn  has  at  last  found  its  proper 
place  as  a  synonym  of  the  old  and  well  known  Triomphe 
de  Gand.  The  so  called  Maximillian,  or  Mexican  Ever- 
bearing, is  another  variety  which  caused  a  good  deal  of 
excitement  among  Strawberry  growers  a  few  years  ago, 
and  although  the  story  told  of  its  discovery  in  Mexico  and 
introduction  into  the  United  States,  was  enough  to  raise 
doubts  in  the  minds  of  thinking  men,  still  there  were 
not  wanting  several,  who  had  been  generally  acknowledged 
as  authorities  in  such  matters,  to  indorse  and  describe 
this  variety  as  new  and  worthy  of  the  highest  praise  and 
most  extended  cultivation.  Two  years  after,  this  variety 
passed  into  the  hands  of  practical  cultivators,  and  it  was 
generally  admitted  to  be  nothing  else  than  the  old 
Monthly  Red  Alpine  of  Europe,  a  variety  which  has  been 
in  cultivation  nearly  or  quite  one  hundred  years,  and 
known  by  at  least  a  score  of  different  names. 

Nearly  all  the  varieties  mentioned  in  my  "  Additional 


STRAWBERRY.  107 

List"  in  the  first  edition  of  this  work  have  become  obso- 
lete, showing  that  they  received  all  the  attention  th/^y 
merited  at  that  time.  I  now  make  up  another  similar 
list,  containing,  besides  new  and  not  fully  tested  varieties, 
some  old  ones  still  retained  in  cultivation  for  personal 
reasons,  or  because  they  possess  some  peculiar  merit,  or 
characteristics,  not  common  to  other  and  more  widely 
cultivated  sorts. 

Austin  or  Shaker,— Old,  but  still  retained  in  a  few 
collections. 

Cetywayo,— A  pistillate  variety  from  Ulster  Co.,  K  Y. 
Promising  for  market. 

Champion  of  Richmond, — From  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa. 
Has  only  a  local  reputation. 

Chorlton's  Prolific. — Productive,  but  too  small,  and 
poor  in  flavor. 

Col,  Ellsworth,  —  Of  large  size,  but  second-rate  in 
quality. 

Crimson  Favorite.— Of  extra  fine  flavor,  but  unpro- 
ductive. 

Cutter's  Seedling, — Small,  and  of  poor  flavor. 
Diadem. — Soft,  acid,  and  unproductive. 
Durand's  Beauty, — New,  promising. 
Early  Adela, — Early,  but  too  small. 

Eclipse.  (Prince.) — Probably  obsolete  at  the  present 
time. 

Emily.  (Huntsman's. ) — Raised  some  fifteen  years  ago, 
but  I  doubt  if  it  was  ever  disseminated  beyond  the  orig- 
inator's gardens  in  Flushing,  L.  I. 

Endicott, — New  and  untried. 

Finch's  Prolific,— From  Ohio. 

French's  Seedling, — Old,  but  still  retained  in  a  few 
collections. 


108  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTTJRIST. 

Fragaria  Incida. — An  old  California  variety,  admired 
for  its  beautiful  foliage. 

Georgia  Mammoth. — Small,  but  the  plants  are  vigorous 
and  prolific. 

Golden  Queen. — Has  proved  to  be  Trollope's  Victoria, 
a  foreign  variety. 

Hart's  Minnesota. — Highly  endorsed  by  Truman  M. 
Smith,  President  of  the  Minnesota  Horticultural  Society. 
Fruit  large,  but  second-rate  in  quality. 

Ida.     (CockUn.) — Has  been  superseded  by  better  sorts. 

Iowa. — Once  famous,  but  probably  not  now  in  cultiva- 
tion. 

Kerr's  Prolific. — Has  a  local  reputation,  but  is  not  in 
general  cultivation. 

Kramer's  Seedling. — Originated  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  in 
1863,  and  a  few  years  later  sent  out  at  eight  dollars  pel 
hundred ;  but  it  is  now  almost  if  not  quite  extinct. 

Kirk  wood, — New,  but  its  value  is  not  yet  determined. 

Le  Baron. — Once  considered  valuable,  but  has  been 
superseded. 

Mammoth  Bush. — A  pistillate  variety,  with  only  a  local 
reputation. 

Meade's  Seedling. — A  handsome,  good-flavored  berry, 
but  too  small. 

Metcalf 's  Early. — Once  a  popular  variety  in  Michigan, 
now  very  generally  discarded. 

Monitor. — One  of  the  "  Tribune "  prize  varieties  ; 
obsolete. 

Mount  Vernon, — Supposed  to  be  identical  with  Kirk- 
wood. 

Panic. — New  ;  proi^nes  to  be  a  valuable  variety. 


STRAWBERRY.  109 

Philadelphia* — Old,  but  is  still  retained  in  a  few  col- 
lections. Pistillate. 

Piper's  Seedling. — I  have  no  information  in  regard  to 
this  variety  further  than  that  it  is  named  in  a  few 
nurserymen's  lists. 

Reed's  Kansas  Mammoth,— New  and  little  known. 

Russell's  Advance,— A  good  berry  but  a  feeble  plant. 

Sucker  State, — New  and  promising. 

Walden, — New  and  untested. 

Warren, — New;  originated  with  Mr.  H.  L.  Webb, 
Bowling  Green,  Ky. 

Wilding, — New;  originated  with  Mr.  A.  N.  Jones, 
Troy,  N.  Y. 

Wieland, — New  and  untested. 

FOREIGN    VARIETIES. 

During  the  past  dozen  years  there  has  been  a  very 
marked  change  in  the  opinion  of  our  Strawberry  culti- 
vators regarding  the  value  of  foreign  varieties.  Novel- 
ties in  European  catalogues  are  no  longer  sought  so 
eagerly  as  formerly ;  in  fact,  the  importation  of  Straw- 
berry plants  is  now  confined  almost  wholly  to  amateurs, 
and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  but  few  of  these  gentle- 
men indulge  in  the  once  common  practice  of  sending 
orders  out  to  Europe  for  the  latest  novelties  mentioned 
in  the  catalogues  of  English  and  Continental  growers  of 
this  fruit.  It  is  not  because  new  varieties  are  not  pro- 
duced as  abundantly  as  ever,  but  simply  because  our 
horticulturists  have  learned  from  experience  that  few 
European  sorts  will  succeed  in  this  country,  and  that,  at 
best,  they  are  inferior  on  the  whole  to  our  new  improved 
native  varieties.  The  old  Triomphe  de  Gand  and  Jucunda 
still  hold  a  place  in  the  catalogues  and  grounds  of  both 
amateurs  and  professional  cultivators,  but  beyond  these, 
it  is  seldom  that  foreign  varieties  are  exhibited  at  our  fairs 


110 


SMALL  FKUIT  CULTUEIST. 


or  seen  in  market,  with  the  exception  of  forced  fruit.  Of 
late  the  forcing  of  Strawberries  under  glass,  in  order  to 
have  the  fruit  ripen  during  winter,  has  become  a  business 
of  considerable  importance  in  the  suburbs  of  nearly  all 
our  larger  cities,  and  for  this  purpose  some  of  the  foreign 
sorts  are  said  to  be  preferable  to  the  native,  owing  in  part 
to  their  mild  flavor,  when  raised  under  these  artificial 
conditions.  For  the  above  reasons,  I  have  thought  best 
to  retain  the  foreign  list  very  much  as  it  was  in  the  first 
edition  of  this  work.  Many  new  varieties  might  be  added, 
but  little  is  known  of  them,  and  their  merits  would  have 
to  be  taken  on  trust,  while  those  here  named  have  been 
pretty  thoroughly  tested  by  myself  and  other  cultivators 
in  this  country. 

Ambrosia*      (Nicholson.) — Large,  roundish,  dark  red, 
sweet  and  very  good,  moderately  vigorous  and  productive. 

Admiral  Dundas*     ( Myatt.) — Very  large,  irregular,  of- 
ten flattened,  pale  scarlet,  very  juicy,  and  brisk  flavored. 

Baron  Beman  de  Linnick.  (Makoy.) — Very  large, 
oblate  or  flat- 
tened cone,  light 
scarlet  ;  seeds 
prominent;  flesh 
pink,  solid,  sweet 
and  perfumed. 

Boule     d'Or. 

( Boisselot. )  — 
Very  large, 
roundish,  flat- 
tened, figure  45 ; 
color  a  bright, 
glossy,  orange  Fig.  45.— BOULE  D'OK. 

scarlet ;  seeds  prominent ;  flesh  white,  sweet  and  good ; 
plant  robust  and  moderately  productive. 

Bonte  de  St.  Julicil.     (Carre.) — Medium  to  large,  coni- 


STRAWBERRY.  Ill 

cal,  dark  crimson,  sweet  and  good ;  plant  quite  vigorous 
and  very  productive. 

Bijou.  (De  Jonghe.) — Fruit  large,  regular,  bright, 
glossy  red ;  flesh  vory  solid,  sweet  and  crisp ;  plant  a 
very  dwarf  grower,  and  with  me  very  unproductive. 

Bicolor.  (De  Jonghe.) — Medium,  conical,  light  crira 
Bon,  sweet  and  good.  A  poor  grower. 

Belle  de  Vibert.  ( "Rfor£)—Large,  conical,  light  crim- 
son, sweet,  but  not  rich  ;  flesh  firm.  A  handsome  berry ; 
succeeds  poorly,  except  in  a  very  few  localities. 

Belle  Artesienne.  (Demay.)— Very  large,  conical,  dark 
crimson,  poor  quality,  and  usually  unproductive. 

Carnolia  Magna.  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  oval,  bright, 
glossy  vermillion;  seeds  projecting;  flesh  solid,  pink, 
often  hollow  at  the  core,  juicy  and  sweet;  productive. 

DeptfonL  Pine.  (Myatt.)— Large,  pale  orange  scarlet, 
almost  white  in  the  shade,  very  sweet ;  the  plant  a  vigor- 
ous grower,  but  unproductive. 

Duke  de  Malakoff.  (Gloede.)—Very  large,  irregular, 
dark,  dull  red,  poor  flavor,  and  unproductive. 

Eliza.   (Myatts) — See  rejected  list. 

Emma*  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  obtuse-conical,  bright 
scarlet,  sweet  and  good ;  plant  hardy  and  moderately 
productive.  A  new  variety  that  promises  well 

Elton  Improved, — Raised  at  the  royal  garden  at  Frog* 
more,  England.  Large,  conical,  bright,  glossy  crimson; 
seeds  prominent ;  flesh  solid,  sweet,  and  good. 

Empress  Eugenie.  (Knevett.) — Very  large,  irregular, 
flattened,  dull  crimson,  poor  flavor,  unproductive. 

Frogmore  Late  Pine.    (Ingram.) — Very  large,  conical, 
sometimes  flattened,  brilliant  crimson,  firm  flesh,  and  of 
good  quality.    A  magnificent  berry,  but  the  plant  bumf 
badly  in  summer,  and  is  unproductive. 
5* 


112 


SMALL   FBTJIT   CULTURIST. 


Goliath*  (Klttley's.) — An  old  variety  placed  in  the  re- 
jected list  by  the  American  Pomological  Society  in  1858, 
but  still  praised  by  a  few  growers.  It  is  worthless. 

Gwentver*  (Mrs.  Clements.) — Medium,  roundish  or 
flattened,  bright  scarlet ;  flesh  pink,  juicy  and  sweet ; 
vigorous,  moderately  productive  and  early. 

Haquin.  (ffaquin.) — Fruit  large,  flattened  cone,  bright 
red ;  seeds  prominent ;  flesh  solid,  white,  juicy  and  sweet ; 
plant  hardy,  requires  very  high  culture  and  a  moist  soil 
to  insure  even  a  moderate  crop. 

Hero*  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  of  a  regular,  globular 
shape,  bright  red ;  flesh  carmine,  very  sweet ;  early. 

Hillman. — Medium  to  large,  oval,, bright  scarlet.  New ; 
from  Germany ;  not  fully  tested. 

Jncunda.  (Salter.)— Large,  conical,  bright  light  crim- 
son or  dark  scarlet,  excellent  flavor ;  a  good  grower,  but 

rather  tender ;  moderately 
productive.  Figure  46.  This 
variety  has  lately  been  reviv- 
ed under  the  name  of  Knox's 
700,  and  it  is  said  to  be 
very  prolific  in  Mr.  Knox's 
grounds  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
I  have  cultivated  it  for  six 
or  seven  years,  but  it  has 
never  proved  to  be  any  more 
productive  than  the  mass  of 
foreign  kinds  which  I  have 
Fig.  46.— JUCHNDA.  tried.  If  it  should  prove 

valuable  at  the  West,  it  will  only  be  another  instance 
among  the  many  where  the  success  of  a  variety  is  only 
local. 

Kate*  (Mrs.  Clements.)  —  Medium,  conical,  bright 
glossy  red,  solid,  juicy,  sweet,  but  sprightly ;  very  early. 


BTRAWBERBY. 

Klmberley  Pine,  (jffimberley.)— Large,  irregular,  oval 
or  flattened,  bright  crimson ;  seeds  very  prominent ;  flesh 
very  solid,  red,  juicy  and  brisk ;  productive,  and  late  in 
ripening. 

La  Constante.  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  regular,  conical, 
bright  crimson,  fine  flavor ;  flesh  firm ;  ripens  late.  One 
of  the  most  beautiful  Strawberries  known.  The  plant  is 
a  dwarf  grower,  and  requires  a  moist,  rich  soil,  and  even 
under  the  highest  culture  it  is  not  very  productive. 

La  Sultanne,  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  conical,  bright 
deep  scarlet,  of  excellent  flavor,  but  the  plant  a  poor 
grower,  and  unproductive. 

Lueida  Perfecta.  (Gloede.) — Said  to  be  a  cross  be- 
tween the  British  Queen  and  the  Fragaria  lucida  of  Cal- 
ifornia. Large,  round,  bright  salmon  color ;  flesh  solid, 
sweet  and  rich.  It  is  worthless  with  me,  but  it  is  said  to 
do  well  in  some  localities. 

Lorenz  Booth.  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  oval,  bright 
glossy  red ;  flesh  dark  crimson,  solid,  sweet,  but  sprightly ; 
hardy. 

Leon  de  Saint  Laumer.  (Dupuy  Jamin. )— Large, 
conical,  bright  pale  scarlet;  fleah  carmine,  rich,  juicy  and 
sweet ;  moderately  prolific. 

Lucas.  (De  Jonghe.) — Large,  roundish,  oval,  glossy 
crimson ;  flesh  hard,  firm  and  crisp ;  good  flavor,  and  a 
very  good  grower. 

Marguerite.  (Le  Breton.) — Very  large,  long,  conical, 
pale  scarlet,  sweet,  but  rather  insipid.  With  extra  culti 
vation  it  is  quite  productive,  but  the  plant  is  naturally 
feeble.  A  very  fine  show  fruit. 

Napoleon  III. — Fruit  large,  of  a  brilliant  crimson; 
flesh  firm,  juicy ;  plant  vigorous.  The  Austin  has  been 
Bent  out  from  several  establishments  in  this  country  under 
this  name. 


314 


SMALL   FEUIT   CULTTJEIST. 


Oscar,  (Bradley.) — Large,  slightly  conical,  dark  crim- 
son, sweet,  rich  nnd  good.  A  very  handsome  variety,  re- 
quiring extra  culture. 

Prince's  Frederick  William,     (Nivin.) — Large,  round- 
ish,  often    flattened,    light    crimson, 
sweet,  of  fair  quality,  early,  moderate- 
ly productive ;  plant  quite  tender. 

Souvenir  de  Kieff,  (De  Jonghe.) — 

Very  large,  flat  cone ;  seeds  very  pro- 
minent ;  bright  glossy  crimson ;  flesh 
solid,  pale  red,  juicy  and  good. 

Sabrenr.  (Mrs.  Clements.) — Medi- 
um, conical  (see  fig.  47) ;  color  bright 
orange  scarlet ;  seeds  very  prominent ; 
flesh  solid,  white,  sweet,  and  of  high 
flavor ;  productive.  Fig.  47.— SABREUR. 

Topsy.  (De  Jonghe.) — Medium,  elongated,  conical, 
(see  figure  48,)  bright  light  scarlet,  sweet,  sprightly  and 
good ;  plant  moderately  vigorous  and  productive. 


Fig.  48.— TOPST.  Fig.  43.— TRIOMPHE  DE  GAITD. 

Triomphe  de  Oand,  —  Very  la:-ge,   irregular,   conical, 


STRAWBERRY. 

but  often  flattened,  as  in  figure  49,  bright  crimson ;  flesh 
firm,  crisp,  not  rich,  rather  mild  flavor.  This  variety  has 
probably  been  more  extensively  cultivated  and  given  bet- 
ter satisfaction  than  any  other  foreign  variety  ever  intro- 
duced. Among  the  hundreds  I  have  tried,  this  has  pleased 
me  most,  because  with  good  culture  it  has  never  failed  to 
give  a  large  crop. 

Vicomptesse  Hericart  de  Theury,  (Jamin  and  Du- 
rand. )  —  Large,  irregular,  conical,  sometimes  flattened, 
dark  scarlet  or  light  crimson  ;  flesh  firm,  sweet,  rich  and 
excellent ;  early  and  productive.  This  variety,  like  the 
Triompbe,  has  been  cultivated  and  widely  disseminated, 
and  may  be  placed  as  second  to  none  of  the  foreign  kinds. 

Vineuse  de  Nantes.     (Boisselot.)—  Medium  to  large, 

flattened,  figure  50,  bright  glossy  crimson;  seeds  very 
prominent ;  flesh  red,  solid  and  sweet,  with  a  peculiar  vinj 
ous  flavor. 


Fig.  50.— VINEUSE  DE  NANTES.  Fig.  51.— VICTORIA. 

Victoria.  ( Trottope's.) — Figure  51.  Very  large,  round' 
ish-conical,  light  pale  scarlet ;  seeds  slightly  imbedded, 
and  set  wide  apart ;  flesh  nearly  white,  juicy,  but  not  rich, 
often  insipid.  The  productiveness  of  this  variety  is  ex- 
tremely variable ;  in  some  soils  it  is  very  prolific,  while  in 
others,  apparently  as  rich,  it  is  unproductive.  It  is  an 


SMALL  FRUTT  CULTUBI8T. 

old  English  variety,  discarded  by  nearly  every  cultiv&toi 
in  the  country,  yet  it  has  been  frequently  brought  out  un- 
der a  new  name.  Trembly's  Union  proved  to  be  this 
variety,  and  was  so  declared  by  several  fruit  growers 
when  it  was  first  exhibited.  The  Golden  Queen  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  is  also  said  to  be  the  Victoria. 

I  might  add  a  hundred  varieties  more  to  this  list,  but  it 
would  be  only  increasing  the  number  of  names  without  ad- 
ding any  merit,  and  it  is  very  likely  that  before  these 
pages  are  read  by  fruit  growers  there  will  be  another  list 
of  new  kinds  announced. 

ALPINE    STRAWBERRIES. 

Alpine  Redt  (American  Alpine,  Berancon,  De  Man- 
treuil  a  Fruit  Rouge,  De  Montreuil  a  Marteau,  Fressant, 
Dent  de  Cheval,  De  Ville  de  Bois.) — Medium,  conical; 
seeds  projecting ;  light  crimson  or  dark  scarlet,  mild  sub- 
acid,  not  rich,  but  good ;  plant  very  hardy,  and  moder- 
ately productive. 

Alpine  Red,  Monthly,  (Autumnal  Galande,  Des  Al- 
pes  a  Fruit  Rouge,  Des  Alpes  de  tons  les  Mois  a  Fruit 
Rouge,  Des  Alpes  de  deux  Saisons  a  Fruit  Rouge,  Det 
Alpes  de  quatre  Saisons,  Alpine  Rouge,  Scarlet  Alpine^ 
Prolific  Alpine,  Poitou  Alpine  Monthly,  Versailles  Al- 
pine Monthly,  La  Mendonaise,  Glory  de  Nancy  Alpine, 
&c.,  c6c.) — Similar  to  the  common  Red  Alpine,  but  pro- 
duces a  continuous  crop  throughout  the  entire  summer. 
Requires  high  culture. 

Alpine  White.  (Alpine  Blanc,  De  Montreuil  a  Fruit 
Blanc.)  —Same  as  the  first,  except  in  color  of  fruit,  which 
is  white,  and  the  leaves  are  of  a  lighter  green. 

Alpine  White,  Monthly.  (Alpine  Blanc,  Des  Alpes  a 
Fruit,  Blanc,  Des  Alpes  de  quatre  Saisons,  <&c.) — Same  ai 
the  common  White  Alpine,  except  that  it  bears  a  continu- 
ous crop  through  the  summer. 


STBAWBEEBT. 

Bash  Alpine,  Red.  (Wood  Strawberry,  Buisson  a 
Fruit  Rouge,  Gommun  sans  Filets,  Sans  Coulans  Or- 
dinaire, tians  ^Filets'  Ordinaire,  De  Gaillon  a  Fruit 
Rouge,  <Sbc.)— Medium,  roundish-ovate,  sub-acid,  rather 
dry,  agreeable ;  plant  produces  few  or  no  runners ;  propa- 
gated by  dividing  the  plants.  Suitable  for  edgings  of 
walks,  or  cultivating  in  pots  or  in  very  small  gardens. 

Bush  Alpine,  White.  ( White  Wood  Strawberry,  Suit- 
tons  des  Alpes  Blanc,  Buissons  a  Fruit  Blanc,  <&c.) — 
Same  as  the  last,  except  in  color  of  fruit.  There  are  two 
other  varieties,  one  with  red  and  the  other  with  white 
fruit,  similar  in  every  respect  to  the  above,  except  they 
continue  in  bearing  all  the  season. 

Green  Alpine.  (De  Bargemont,  Breslinge  d* Angle- 
terre,  Caucasian,  Green  Pine  Apple,  Green  Wood,  Pow- 
dered Pine,  Verte  d*  Angleterre,  Frasier  Vert,  William's 
Green  Pine,  Gilberts  Large  Brown,  &c.) — This  variety 
is  by  some  supposed  to  be  a  distinct  species,  but  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  plant  and  fruit  show  it  to  be  a  true  Al- 
pine. Fruit  small,  roundish,  depressed,  greenish  brown ; 
flesh  green,  with  a  somewhat  musky  flavor.  Cultivated 
more  as  a  curiosity  than  for  its  fruit. 

One  Leaved  Alpine.  (Fragaria  monophylla.) — Leaves 
simple,  not  divided;  fruit  same  as  the  last.  Raised  in 
France  in  1761  by  Duchesne.  Figured  and  described  in 
Curtis'  Botanical  Magazine,  vol.  2,  1788,  plate  63.  Prob- 
ably not  now  in  cultivation. 

HAUTBOIS    STRAWBERRIES. 

Belle  Bordelais. — Roundish-oval,  dark  brownish  pur 
pie ;  flesh  white,  juicy,  sweet,  with  a  strong  musky  flavor. 
Said  to  produce  a  second  crop  in  autumn,  but  has  not 
with  me,  although  I  have  given  it  good  culture  for  the 
Dast  six  years. 

Common  Hautbois.  (Fragaria  elatior,  Eiaectou*  Hau* 


118  SMALL  FRUIT  CTTLTT/BIST. 

bois,  Musky  Hautboia,  cfcc.) — Medium,  roundish  or  ovate* 
reddish  green,  strong  musky  flavor ;  fruit  stems  project- 
ing above  the  leaves.  Hence  the  name  Hautboy  or  High- 
wood. 

There  are  several  varieties,  the  difference  between  them 
being  very  slight.  The  most  common  are  : 

Black  Ha  Ut  bo  IS,— Medium,  ovate,  dark  reddish  brown, 

Globe  HailtboiS. — Roundish  ovate,  reddish  green. 

Long  Fruited  Muscatelle,— Oblong,  rather  small,  late. 

Prolific  HailtboiS.  (Double  Searing,  Hermaphrodite, 
Regenfs  Dwarf,  Sacombe,  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  Coperon 
Royal*  t&c.) — Conical ;  large  for  this  class ;  flowers  quite 
large.  One  of  the  best. 

Monstrous  Hautbois,— New.  Said  to  be  very  large  for 
one  of  its  class.  There  is  a  variety  being  disseminated 
under  this  name,  which  does  not  belong  to  the  Hautbois 
species. 

The  Hautbois  varieties  are  very  little  cultivated  in  thia 
country,  as  there  are  very  few  Americans  who  like  their 
peculiar  musky  flavor. 


CHAPTER    ILL 


RASPBEEEY. 

NATURAL  FAMILY  KOSACEJB. 

[RUBUS.— The  Latin  name  for  the  Raspberry  and  Blackberry  derived  from  th* 
oeltic  rub,  red ;  French  name,  Framboisier  ;  German,  Himtxeren  Strauch  ;  Dutch, 
Fra/mbooe;  Italian,  Bova-ideo;  Spanish,  Frambueso;  the  old  English  name  ii 
Baspis  or  Hinctoerry.] 

GENERAL    CHARACTERS. 

Perennial  herbs,  or  somewhat  shrubby  plants,  with 
biennial,  and,  in  a  few  species,  perennial  woody  stems ; 
flowers,  white  or  red ;  petals,  five  deciduous ;  stamens, 
many ;  seeds  collected  on  a  spongy,  succulent  receptacle, 
becoming  small  drupes.  In  the  Kaspberry,  that  which  is 
called  the  fruit,  is  a  collective  mass  of  drupes,  which 
readily  parts  from  the  dry  receptacle  when  ripe. 
SPECIES. 

Our  native  species  are  divided  into  three  classes  by  Dr. 
Gray,  as  follows : 

CLASS  1. — Leaves  simple;  flowers  large,  prickles  none' 
fruit  and  receptacle  flat. 

Rubus  odoratus. — Purple  Flowering  Raspberry. — Stem 
shrubby,  three  to  five  feet  high ;  branches,  stalks  and  ca- 
lyx bristly,  with  glandular,  clammy  hairs ;  leaves  three  to 
6ve  lobed ;  the  lobes  pointed  and  minutely  toothed,  the 
middle  one  prolonged ;  peduncles  many  flowered,  purple 
rose-colored;  fruit  variable  in  size,  from  two  or  three 
119 


120  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 

grains  to  nearly  an  inch  in  diameter,  red,  with  a  rather 
dry,  musky  flavor.  Common,  in  most  of  the  Northern 
States,  in  high  rocky  places.  It  is  sometimes  called 
Thimbleberry,  Mulberry,  etc. 

Rubus  Nutkanus.  —  White  Flowering  Easpberry. — 
Leaves  almost  equally  five-lobed,  scarcely  bristly ;  petals 
oval,  white,  very  much  like  the  last,  and  probably  only  a 
variety  of  R.  odoratus.  Northern  Michigan  and  west- 
ward, and  northward  to  Alaska.  The  California  Salmon- 
berry  (R.  velutinus,  Hook.)  is  now  regarded  as  only  a 
variety  of  this. 

R.  Chamaemorus. — Cloudberry. — Herbaceous,  low;  dioa- 
cious ;  stem  simple ;  two  to  three- leaved  ;  one-flowered ; 
leaves  roundish,  kidney  form,  somewhat  five-lobed ;  petals 
white ;  grains  few.  amber  color.  Native  of  Europe,  par- 
ticularly in  the  more  northern  portions,  also  in  the  high 
mountains  of  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  in  the 
Canadas. 

CLASS  2. — Leaves  three-foliate,  «ometimes  simple,  but 
rarely  five-foliate.  Stems  soft,  "woody,  and  somewhat 
prickly. 

R,  spectabilis. — Showy  Easpberry. — Stems  robust,  five 
to  ten  feet  high,  bearing  a  few  straight,  stout  prickles  ; 
leaflets  ovate,  accuminate  double  incised -serrate  and  often 
two  or  three-lobed ;  veins  beneath  as  well  as  petioles, 
sparingly  villous-pubescent ;  flowers  mostly  solitary,  red, 
large,  and  showy  ;  fruit  large  ovoid,  red,  or  yellow.  Com- 
mon on  the  Pacific  coast  from  California  northward  to 
Alaska.  Var.  Menziesii — Is  more  tomentose  and  silky, 
but  otherwise  resembles  the  species. 

CLASS  3. — Leaves  compound,  of  three  to  five  leaflets. 
Stems  annual,  herbaceous,  not  prickly ;  fruit  of  a  few 
separate  grains. 

R,  pedatus. — Bird's-foot  Easpberry. — Stems  slender, 


RASPBERRY.  121 

pubescent ;  leaves  smooth  or  slightly  villous ;  leaflets 
cuneate-obovate,  about  an  inch  long,  incisely  toothed. 
Flowers  often  solitary,  on  long  slender  peduncles,  white, 
succeeded  by  fruit  consisting  of  from  three  to  six  large 
red,  pulpy  drupelets.  Pacific  coast. 

R.  triflorus. — Dwarf  Kaspberry. — Stems  erect,  six  to 
twelve  inches  high  or  trailing ;  leaflets  three  ;  rhombic- 
ovate  or  ovate-lanceolate,  acute  at  both  ends,  coarsely 
doubly  serrate,  thin,  smooth  ;  peduncles  one  to  three- 
flowered.  Woody  hill-sides  throughout  the  Northern 
States.  Not  in  cultivation,  and  no  improved  varieties 
known. 

CLASS  4. — Leaves  as  in  Class  3.  Stems  biennial  and 
woody,  prickly  ;  receptacle  oblong  ;  fruit  hemispherical. 

R,  Iccuodermis* — White-stemmed  Easpberry. —  Stem 
erect,  but  ends  bending  over,  as  usual  with  all  the  black- 
cap Raspberries  ;  glaucous,  armed  with  stout,  mostly  re- 
curved prickles ;  leaves  three-foliate,  or  sometimes  pe- 
dately  five-foliate,  never  simple;  leaflets  ovate  to  lanceolate, 
acuminate,  double  serrate,  white-tomentose  beneath,  veins 
and  petioles  prickly;  fruit  large,  but  variable  in  color, 
from  a  yellowish  brown  to  black,  usually  with  consider- 
able bloom.  This  species  was  first  described  by  Douglas 
some  fifty  years  ago,  and  recently  in  the  Botany  of  Cali- 
fornia, but  from  long  acquaintance  with  it,  not  only  in  its 
native  habitats  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  with  plants 
from  various  sources  cultivated  in  my  garden,  I  cannot 
see  why  it  should  be  separated  as  a  distinct  species  from 
the  R.  occidentalis. 

R,  strigosiiSt — Wild  Red  Raspberry. — Stems  upright, 
beset  with  stiff,  straight  bristles  ;  leaflets  three  to  five, 
oblong,  ovate,  pointed,  cut  serrate,  whitish-downy  under- 
neath ;  fruit  light  red,  finely  flavored.  Common  evsry* 
where,  and  many  varieties  of  it  in  cultivation. 
6 


123  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

R,  occidentals — Black  Raspberry. — Stems  recurved, 
armed  with,  hooked  prickles ;  leaflets  three,  sometimes 
five,  ovate,  pointed,  coarsely  serrate,  whitened  under- 
neath ;  fruit  purple  or  black,  occasionally  yellowish- white. 
A  variable  species. 

R.  IdcCUSi — European  Raspberry. — Stems  erect,  woody, 
prickles,  slender,  straight ;  leaves  trifoliate  ;  leaflets  ovate, 
deeply  serrate,  whitish-tomentose  beneath,  green  above; 
flowers  white  ;  fruit  red  or  yellowish-white  ;  root  peren- 
nial, creeping,  producing  numerous  suckers.  Common 
garden  Raspberry.  Native  of  various  portions  of  Europe, 
and  probably  of  Asia.  It  derived  the  name  Idaeus  from 
Mount  Ida — this  name  being  given  it  by  the  Greeks. 

There  are  many  other  species  of  the  Raspberry,  natives 
of  different  portions  of  the  world.  In  fact,  there  is 
scarcely  a  country  with  which  we  have  any  communica- 
tion that  does  not  possess  one  or  more  species.  Many  of 
these  have  been  introduced,  but  so  far  none  have  proved 
of  sufficient  value  to  be  worthy  of  cultivation. 

The  R.  Japonicus,  which  was  disseminated  some  years 
ago  from  the  experimental  garden  at  Washington,  was 
supposed  at  the  time  to  be  of  value,  but  it  proved  to  be 
too  tender  for  open  air  culture  at  the  North,  and  we  have 
no  accounts  of  it  from  the  South. 

The  R.  Idceus  has  given  thus  far  all  varieties  from 
abroad  worthy  of  cultivation.  But  from  our  native  spe- 
cies, Rubus  strigosus  and  R.  occidentalis,  a  number  of 
very  valuable  varieties  have  been  produced. 

HISTORY. 

Pliny,  the  elder,  who  is  supposed  to  have  written  his 
natural  history  about  the  year  45,  mentions  the  Raspberry 
as  one  of  the  wild  brambles,  which  the  Greeks  called  Idae* 


RASPBERRY.  123 

Palladius,  a  Roman  agricultural  writer,  wLo  flourished 
in  the  fourth  century,  or  about  fourteen  hundred  years 
ago,  mentions  the  Raspberry  as  one  of  the  cultivated 
fruits  of  his  time. 

Tusser,  Gerarde  and  Parkinson  mention  the  Red  Rasp- 
berry, and  Miller  adds  the  White  as  among  the  varieties 
of  his  time. 

But  like  most  of  the  other  small  fruits,  very  little  im 
provement  was  made  until  within  the  past  century,  as  th 
old  gardeners  dtpended  mainly  upon  the  wild  plants, 
which  they  obtained  from  the  woods  of  their  own   or 
some  foreign  country. 

PROPAGATION. 

BY  SEEDS. — Growing  from  seed  is  only  t*>  be  recom- 
mended for  the  purpose  of  producing  new  varieties. 
Gather  the  fruit  when  fully  ripe,  and  either  dry  it  and 
preserve  the  seeds  in  this  manner  until  wanted  for  plant- 
ing, or  wash  the  seed  from  the  pulp  and  preserve  in  sand, 
or  sow  them  immediately  in  the  open  ground.  Raspberry 
seeds  possess  great  vitality,  and  may  be  kept  sound  for 
years  in  any  cool  dry  place.  If  sown  in  the  fall  they  will 
germinate  early  in  spring,  and  usually  produce  canes  suf- 
ficiently strong  to  fruit  the  second  year.  If  the  seed  is 
from  a  tender  variety,  then  the  young  plants  should  be 
protected  in  winter,  either  by  being  taken  up  and  heeled-in, 
or  by  bending  down  and  covering  with  soil.  It  is  usually 
better  to  take  up  the  seedlings  in  the  fall  and  heel  them 
in  until  spring,  then  plant  again,  cutting  them  down  close 
to  the  ground  at  the  tune.  This  will  cause  them  to  throw 
up  strong  canes,  that  will  produce  fruit  the  next  (third) 
year  in  sufficient  quantities  to  enable  the  grower  to  deter- 
mine very  nearly  its  relative  value  to  other  kinds. 

BY  ROOTS  AND  ROOT  CUTTINGS. — A  larger  portion  of 
the  varieties  of  the  Raspberry  in  cultivation  produce 


124  SMALL  FBUTT  CULTUBISH 

suckers  from  the  roots,  or  what  may  be  properly  called 
underground  stems. 

There  is,  however,  one  species,  and  its  varieties,  which 
does  not,  as  a  rule,  multiply  in  this  manner,  but  as  this  is 
only  a  single  exception,  I  will  give  the  method  of  its  prop- 
agation under  the  head  of  layers. 

Some  varieties  produce  suckers  in  great  abundance, 
while  others  do  so  sparingly.  This  manner  of  propagation 
being  a  natural  one,  we  take  advantage  of  it,  and  not  only 
allow  the  plants  to  produce  suckers  naturally,  but  dig  up 
the  roots  and  cut  them  into  small  pieces,  and  force  each  to 
produce  a  plant,  thus  increasing  the  number  many  fold. 

To  save  repetition  I  will  give  a  rule  which  will  apply  to 
all  of  the  members  of  this  great  family  of  plants,  whether 
it  be  the  Rose,  Raspberry,  Blackberry,  Apple,  Pear,  Plum, 
&c.,  &c.,  and  that  is,  any  of  them  which  naturally  pro- 
duce suckers  from  the  roots  may  be  readily  propagated 
from  cuttings  of  the  same.  Those  which  produce  them 
most  abundantly  are  the  most  readily  multiplied  in  this 
manner.  Whether  it  would  be  advisable  to  employ  this 
means  of  propagation  upon  every  variety  or  species  which 
is  susceptible  of  it,  is  an  open  question,  but  upon  the  spe- 
cies now  under  consideration,  there  is  scarcely  a  doubt  of 
its  utility ;  therefore  I  will  give  the  manner  in  which  I 
usually  propagate  those  varieties  of  Raspberries  which 
naturally  produce  suckers,  as  well  as  all  of  the  varieties 
and  species  of  the  Blackberry.  I  follow  the  same  plan 
for  both,  and  with  equally  good  results. 

Take  up  the  roots  when  the  plants  have  ceased  growing, 
and  cut  them  into  pieces  of  from  one  to  three  inches  in 
length.  Then  prepare  some  boxes,  by  boring  holes  in  the 
bottom  to  insure  a  good  drainage,  and  place  a  layer  oi 
straw  over  the  holes  to  prevent  the  soil  from  falling 
through ;  put  on  an  inch  or  two  of  soil,  over  this  a  layer  of 
roots,  then  a  layer  of  soil,  and  so  on  until  the  box  is  full 


RASPBERRY.  125 

Bury  the  boxes  containing  the  roots  on  a  dry  knoll  or 
slight  elevation  in  the  garden,  bank  them  up  with  soil, 
and  cover  so  deeply  that  the  roots  will  not  be  frozen.  In 

addition  to  this,  it  is 
well  to  cover  the 
whole  with  boards 
to  carry  off  the  wa- 
ter, and  if  the  soil  is 
naturally  tenacious 
Fig.  52.— BOX  OF  CUTTINGS.  ana  wet,  a  small  ex- 

cavation should  be  made  at  a  point  that  will  be  under  the 
center  of  the  box  when  put  in  place,  as  shown  in  figure  52. 
This  arrangement  will  allow  any  surplus  moisture  which 
may  accumulate  in  the  boxes  to  drain  off.  Early  in  spring, 
as  soon  as  the  weather  and  soil  will  permit,  take  out  the 
roots  and  plant  them  in  good  rich  soil,  placing  the  pieces 
about  three  or  four  inches  apart,  in  drills,  and  covering 
two  to  four  inches  deep,  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
soil.  If  it  is  a  heavy  one,  two  inches  will  be  sufficient. 
"When  the  plants  are  to  be  cultivated  with  the  plow  or 
cultivator,  the  drills  should  be  three  feet  apart ;  but  the 
best  method  is  to  place  them  not  more  than  eighteen 
inches  or  two  feet  apart,  and  cultivate  entirely  with  the 
hoe  or  fork.  In  a  naturally  dry  and  porous  soil,  it  is  a 
good  plan  to  cover  the  entire  surface,  at  the  time  of  plant- 
ing, with  a  liberal  dressing  of  some  coarse  material  as  a 
mulch.  This  will  insure  a  supply  of  moisture,  and  often 
save  a  large  portion  of  the  cuttings,  if  not  the  entire 
stock.  Cuttings  made  in  the  fall,  and  placed  where  they 
will  not  freeze  during  winter,  have  an  advantage  over 
those  made  in  the  spring,  from  the  fact  that  the  peculiar 
process  which  always  precedes  the  formation  of  roots, 
called  the  callus,  has  sufficient  time  for  full  development 
before  actual  root  growth  commences.  The  new  roots  are 
usually  emitted  from  the  ends  of  the  cuttings  where  the 
callus  appears.  The  callus  is  always  produced  first,  roots 


126  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

succeed  it,  but  what  relation  the  callus  bears  to  the  root 
is  not  fully  known ;  it  appears  to  hold  the  same  relation 
to  it  that  the  cotyledons  of  some  seeds  do  to  the  germ, 
i. «.,  it  supplies  the  roots  with  the  necessary  food  until 
they  are  able  to  extract  it  from  the  soil  themselves. 

The  buds  from  which  the  stems  are  produced  are  dis- 
tinctly adventitious,  that  is,  they  do  not  arise  from  any 
previously  formed  or  latent  bud,  but  are  developed  from 
the  matter  between  the  bark  and  wood.  From  this  point 
the  bud  originates ;  first,  by  a  very  minute  aggregation 
of  cells,  which  assumes  a  conical  shape,  pressing  outward 
through  the  bark  and  up  to  the  surface,  where  the  leaves 
»re  spread  out  to  the  light  and  air.  Sometimes  several 
buds  will  be  produced  on  a  very  small  piece  of  root ;  but 
when  this  occurs  all  will  be  comparatively  feeble  if  they 
continue  to  grow.  In  a  majority  of  such  cases  the 
strongest  of  them  will  take  the  lead  and  the  others  fail 

Figure  53  shows  a  piece  of  root  with  two  shoots,  one  of 
which  has  reached  the  surface,  and  the  leaves  expanding. 
Plants  grown  in  this  manner  are  much  better  than  those 
produced  in  the  natural  manner  from  suckers,  becaus6 
they  are  more  abundantly  supplied  with  fibrous  roots. 
Root  cuttings  of  from  one  to  three  inches  in  length,  plant- 
ed in  good  soil,  will  make  plants  one  to  three  feet  high 
the  first  season.  Plants  may  also  be  taken  up,  and  the 
roots  made  into  cuttings,  in  the  spring,  and  planted  in  the 
same  manner  as  described  for  those  made  in  the  fall. 

When  the  variety  is  very  scarce,  then  any  small  roots 
may  be  used  for  propagating,  but  hi  such  cases  it  is  best 
not  to  attempt  it  in  the  open  ground,  but  place  them  in  a 
propagating  house.  Cut  the  roots  into  pieces  of  from  one- 
half  to  one  inch  long,  mix  with  sand,  and  place  in  a  warm 
situation,  but  not  hi  so  high  a  temperature  as  to  force  the 
formation  of  buds.  When  the  callus  is  formed,  and  buds 
begin  to  show  themselves  upon  the  surface,  which  they 
should  do  in  four  to  six  weeks,  place  them  hi  soil  con> 


EASPBERKY. 


12? 


posed  of  equal  parts  of  leaf  mold  and  sand,  and  in  a  posi- 
tion where  they  will  receive  a  heat  of  seventy-five  to 
ninety  degrees. 

When  the  plants  have  made  a  growth  of  four  to  six 
inches,  they  may  be  potted  singly,  or  planted  out  into  the 
open  ground,  provided  the  weather  is  warm  and  there  is 
no  danger  of  their  becoming  checked  by  cold. 


Fig.  53. — BOOT  CUTTING. 

Root  cuttings,  however,  produce  the  very  best  plants, 
and  the  number  that  can  be  made  from  the  roots  of  one 
large  stool,  if  given  proper  care,  is  much  greater  than 
one  would  suppose  who  has  never  tried  it. 

There  will  be  occasionally  a  variety  whose  roots  will 
develop  buds  very  slowly  with  ordinary  care,  and  they 
require  a  little  forcing.  With  such  kinds  I  have  some- 
times found  it  beneficial  to  place  the  boxes  of  roots  in  a 


128 


SMALL   FKUIT   CTJLTTJKIST. 


warm  cellar  or  room,  during  winter,  being  careful  not  to 
keep  them  so  wet  as  to  cause  them  to  rot,  nor  so  dry  that 
they  will  shrivel.  In  a  warm  situation,  and  with  proper 
care  in  keeping  them  just  moist  and  no  more,  both  buds 
and  roots  are  sure  to  be  produced  by  planting  time  in 
spring. 

LAYERS. — Layering,  as  a  means  of  propagating  the 
Raspberry  or  Blackberry,  is  seldom  practiced,  neither  is 
it  to  be  recommended,  except  in  cases  of  extreme  scarcity. 
To  succeed  with  this  mode,  the  layers  must  be  put  down 


J.  54  —  MANNER   OF   GROWTH   OF  BLACK   CAP. 

early  in  the  season,  so  soon  as  the  young  canes  are  of  suf- 
ficient size  to  be  conveniently  handled.  A  tongue  should 
be  made  on  the  layer  as  with  hard  wooded  plants,  al- 
though with  some  varieties  of  the  JR.  occidentalis,  this  is 
not  necessary,  as  every  portion  of  the  branch  that  is  cov- 
ered will  readily  emit  roots.  Most  of  the  varieties  of  this 
species  grow  in  the  form  shown  in  figure  54.  The  canes 
grow  very  strong  and  stocky  at  the  base,  gradually  becom- 
ing slender,  and  the  ends  bending  down  to  the  ground 
and  taking  root  as  shown,  thus  form  a  natural  layer. 
The  extreme  point  of  the  cane  generally,  after  entering 
the  ground,  turns  up,  forming  a  large  bud,  from  which  the 
cane  for  the  next  season  is  produced. 


EASPBEBRY. 


130  SMALL  FEUIT   CUXTUBI8T. 

In  figure  55  is  shown  what  may  be  called  a  well-rooted 
plant,  produced  from  the  tip  of  one  of  the  canes.  When 
these  young  plants  are  taken  up,  a  foot  or  more  of  the 
cane  may  be  left  on  them  for  convenience  in  handling,  bu\ 
when  planted  again  this  should  be  cut  off  close  to  the 
-oots,  and  but  the  one  bud  (A.)  allowed  to  grow. 

Occasionally  more  than  one  plant  will  be  produced  upon 
a  single  cane,  because  after  the  extreme  end  of  the  main 
cane  has  taken  root,  one  or  more  of  the  buds  immediately 
above  it  will  push  into  growth,  and  being  but  a  few  inches 
off  the  ground  they  soon  reach  it  and  become  rooted,  as 
shown  in  figure  56.  Sometimes  the  roots  will  become  so 
interlaced  that  they  are  separated  with  difficulty,  although 
in  the  engraving  they  are  shown  with  very  few  roots. 

If  a  foot  or  more  of  the  cane  is  covered  with  soil,  late 
in  the  summer,  when  the  wood  has  become  somewhat 
firm,  roots  will  be  emitted  from  every  portion  of  it,  and 
when  taken  up  it  may  be  separated,  and  each  bud  become 
a  plant.  The  plants  obtained  in  this  manner  are  not  gen- 
erally as  good  as  those  produced  from  the  extreme  tip  of 
the  canes.  It  will  very  often  be  necessary  to  go  over  the 
plantation  and  cover  the  tips  of  the  canes  to  insure  their 
producing  roots.  If  the  plants  are  grown  where  the  wind 
is  constantly  moving  the  canes  about,  their  tips  will  not 
root,  because  they  do  not  remain  long  enough  in  one  place 
to  allow  the  roots  to  penetrate  the  soil.  All  that  is  neces- 
sary is  to  throw  a  small  quantity  of  soil  on  to  the  extreme 
end  of  each  cane.  A  garden  trowel  is  a  good  implement 
for  this  purpose,  putting  on  just  soil  enough  to  keep  the 
end  of  the  cane  steady  in  one  place,  and  no  more. 

The  time  of  performing  this  operation  will  vary  in  dif 
ferent  locations  and  soils.  In  the  latitude  of  New  York 
City,  the  last  of  August  to  the  middle  of  September  is 
the  usual  tune  of  covering  or  layering  the  canes.  But 
care  should  be  observed  in  not  covering  too  early,  as  weU 
is  deferring  it  until  too  late. 


RASPBERRY.  131 

The  canes  will  usually  show  indications  of  becoming 
rooted,  such  as  a  slight  enlargement  near  the  end,  a  ces* 


Fig.  56. — END  OF  STEM  FORMING  SEVERAL  PLANTS. 

sation  of  growth,  &c.,  before  it  is  really  necessary  or  safe 
to  cover  them.     If  covered  too  early,  and  before  the  canes 


132  8MJLLL  FBUn   CULTUEIST. 

have  begun  to  ripen,  they  will  rot,  and  no  plant  wiQ  bi 

produced. 

The  roots  will  continue  to  grow  until  the  ground  freezes, 
and  if  the  canes  are  in  a  proper  state  when  covered,  they 
will  generally  become  well  rooted  in  two  or  three  weeks. 

It  is  so  little  trouble  to  cover  the  tips,  and  thereby  in- 
sure their  taking  root,  that  it  is  seldom  advisable  to  neg* 
lect  it,  if  the  plants  are  wanted.  All  of  the  tips  will  not 
be  in  the  same  condition  at  one  time,  so  that  it  will  be 
necessary  to  go  over  the  plants  at  least  twice,  covering  a 
portion  each  time. 

The  same  theory  has  been  advanced  by  some  cultivators 
in  regard  to  the  plants  produced  from  the  ends  of  the 
canes,  as  that  which  I  have  mentioned  in  a  previous  chap- 
ter,  relative  to  the  runners  of  the  Strawberry.  And  there 
is  just  as  much  truth  hi  one  as  the  other ;  the  only  differ- 
ence, in  fact,  lies  in  the  strength  of  the  plants,  and  should 
the  last  tip  reach  a  lump  of  manure  or  richer  soil  than  the 
first  one,  it  would  become  a  better  rooted  plant  than  the 
first,  and  superior  to  it  in  every  respect. 

There  is  another  theory  in  regard  to  the  production  of 
plants  of  this  class  of  Raspberry  that  has  been  accepted 
by  many,  and  may  be  worthy  of  a  passing  remark. 

The  theory  referred  to  was  promulgated  by  Mr.  Doo- 
little,  the  introducer  of  the  Jocelyn  or  Doolittle  Black 
Raspberry,  and  is  this :  "  The  first  growth  from  the  young 
plants  only  must  be  used  for  propagation."  To  carry  out 
this  plan,  the  young  plants  may  be  allowed  to  take  root  at 
the  ends  the  first  season,  but  thereafter,  no  plants  must  be 
taken  from  them,  but  new  plants  must  be  put  out  every 
season  for  the  purpose  of  propagation. 

Mr.  Doolittle  claims  that  great  improvement  can  be,  and 
has  been,  made  by  following  this  system  for  several  years 
in  succession,  and  if  it  is  not  folio  wed,  the  plants  degener- 
ate,, But  facts  do  not  substantiate  the  theory,  because 
we  have  varieties  that  have  been  as  many  years  in  cnlti 


KASPBEEBY.  133 

vation  as  the  one  sent  out  by  Mr.  Doolittle,  and  although 
never  subjected  to  this  system,  they  have  not  deteriorated, 

And  further,  there  is  not  one  grower  of  the  Black  Rasp 
berry  in  a  hundred  who  attempts  to  follow  Mr.  Doolittle's 
plan,  but  they  propagate  from  the  same  stools  from  year  to 
year,  and  yet  this  variety  appears  to  be  just  as  large,  pro- 
ductive and  good  as  it  was  when  first  disseminated. 

Mr.  Doolittle's  theory  is  contrary  to  the  one  usually  ac- 
cepted in  regard  to  fruit  trees,  for  with  them  we  generally 
select  wood  for  propagation  from  fully  developed  speci- 
mens, believing  that  by  doing  so  we  are  more  likely  to  in- 
sure productive  and  healthy  plants,  than  by  pursuing  an 
opposite  course. 

Young  plants  may  sometimes  produce  better  ones  than 
old,  because  when  planted  on  fresh  soil,  and  the  stem  be 
ing  entirely  removed,  they  start  early,  making  a  compara- 
tively small  plant  the  first  season — the  ends  of  the  branches 
reach  the  ground  earlier,  and  become  rooted  before  they 
would  from  older  stools.  Just  so  long  as  the  old  plants 
can  be  kept  growing  vigorously,  and  the  young  canes  re- 
main healthy,  they  may  be  used  for  propagation  without 
danger  of  deterioration. 

All  of  the  varieties  of  the  Black  Raspberry  are  more  or 
less  subject  to  producing  what  are  generally  called  sports, 
that  is,  the  plants  vary  from  the  usual  type  very  often 
without  any  apparent  cause.  Sometimes  the  plant  will  aa 
bume  a  very  different  character  from  the  normal  one,  becom- 
ing barren,  leaves  smaller,  canes  of  a  different  color,  &c^ 
while  in  other  instances  these  sports  will  be  a  decided  im- 
provement upon  the  original,  the  fruit  becoming  larger 
and  produced  in  greater  quantity,  or  two  crops  will  be 
borne  hi  a  season  instead  of  one. 

These  changes  may  be  the  result  of  neglect  in  culture, 
diseases,  or  from  extra  care,  which  causes  a  more  rapid 
•nd  full  development  than  usual. 


134  SMALL  FEU1T  CULTUEIST. 

BY  CUTTINGS. — There  are  but  few  varieties  of  the  Rasp 
berry  that  can  be  successfully  grown  from  ripe  wood  cut- 
tings. Soms  of  the  Black  Raspberry  class  will  succeed 
if  the  cuttings  are  made  early  in  the  fall,  and  then  placed 
in  a  propagating  house,  but,  as  a  rule,  there  is  nothing 
gained  in  endeavoring  to  propagate  them  in  this  manner 
Green  wood  cuttings,  however,  grow  very  readily  by  the 
same  process  used  by  propagators  in  multiplying  grapes 
and  other  plants. 

The  cuttings  may  be  taken  from  plants  growing  in  the 
open  air,  but  it  is  better  to  take  them  up  in  the  autumn 
and  pot  them,  and  place  in  a  propagating  house,  and  then 
take  off  the  young  growth  from  time  to  time  as  it  appears. 

All  the  varieties  and  species  of  the  Raspberry  and 
Blackberry  may  be  successfully  propagated  in  this  manner 
whenever  it  is  desirable;  although  there  being  so  many 
other  methods  of  multiplying  them,  that  it  will  seldom  be 
necessary  to  resort  to  this  one. 

Single  bud  cuttings  may  be  made  of  the  mature  wood 
in  the  fall,  always  selecting  the  medium  sized  branches  and 
those  that  have  not  become  very  hard. 

In  making  these  single  bud  cuttings,  cut  off  the  cane 
about  half  an  inch  above  the  bud,  and  the  same  distance 
below,  and  then  divide  the  cut- 
ting through  the  middle  length 
wise,  preserving  the  half  that 

fig.  57.-SINGLB  BUD  CUTTING.   contains   tne  bud   (fig.   57).     Plant 

them  in  boxes  or  pots,  about  an  inch  apart,  covering 
about  half  an  inch  deep ;  then  place  them  where  they 
will  be  in  a  temperature  of  from  75  to  100  degrees. 
This  is  not  quite  so  certain  a  method  as  the  others,  still 
with  some  varieties  very  good  plants  can  be  produced  by 
an  experienced  propagator.  When  propagating  the  Black, 
berry  from  single  bud  cuttings,  the  dividing  of  the  stem 
lengthwise  may  be  omitted,  but  with  the  Raspberry  it  if 
better  than  leaving  them  entire. 


EASPBEEEY. 


135 


BY  SUCKEES. — While,  as  I  have  previously  stated,  there 
are  some  varieties  which  naturally  produce  suckers  in 
abundance,  there  are  also  others  that  do  so  very  sparingly ; 
and  still  these  kinds  do  not  multiply  in  any  other  way  if 
left  entirely  to  themselves.  It  is  also  true  that  those  kinds 
which  produce  few  suckers  are  more  difficult  to  propagate 
from  cuttings  of  the  roots ;  consequently  we  must  find 
some  method  of  forcing  the  roots  to  produce  a  greater 
number  of  suckers  than  they  do  naturally. 

This  may  be  accomplished  in  the  following  manner: 
Late  in  autumn,  or  very  early  in  spring,  dig  up  the  old 
stools  by  cutting  off  with  a  spade  all  the  roots  within  a 
foot  of  the  base  of  the  stem. 

In  figure  58  is  shown  a  plant  of  the  Philadelphia  Rasp- 
berry, the  simi-circular  white  line  showing  the  point  where 
the  roots  are  severed.  The  Phila- 
delphia, Catawissa,  and  similar 
kinds,  which  do  not  sucker  freely, 
are  often  treated  in  this  manner. 
If  more  plants  are  wanted  than 
may  be  expected  if  the  roots  are 
left  entire,  then  another  incision 
may  be  made  in  the  same  way 
one  foot  outside  of  the  first,  but 
in  making  it,  no  soil  should  be 
thrown  out,  the  spade  being 
thrust  down  into  the  soil  its  en- 
tire length,  to  separate  the  roots, 
and  then  withdrawn.  After  the 
Fig.  58,-cuTTiNG  THE  ROOTS.  roots  have  been  divided,  the  sur^ 
face  of  the  soil  should  be  harrowed  over  and  made  level. 
If  a  liberal  supply  of  manure  is  applied  as  a  top  dressing, 
it  will  assist  the  growth  of  the  plants  very  much.  The 
roots  remaining  in  the  ground  will  usually  throw  up 
suckers  in  abundance,  and  make  excellent  plants. 

6* 


136  SMALL  PET7IT  CULTURI8T. 

SOIL    AND    LOCATIONS. 

For  the  purpose  of  giving  a  general  rule  (exceptioni 
included),  I  will  divide  the  Raspberries  into  two  classes, 
without  regard  to  species : 

CLASS  1. — The  common  Red  and  White  kinds,  taking 
the  Antwerps  as  the  foreign  branch,  and  the  wild  Red  as 
the  native  type.  These  require  a  deep  rich  moist  soil,  and 
one  that  is  rather  compact,  such  as  a  heavy  loam  or  clay. 
These  succeed  very  poorly  in  a  sandy  soil,  unless  it  be  in 
the  extreme  North. 

CLASS  2. — The  Black  Raspberry  (R.  occidentalis)  and 
its  varieties  succeed  in  both  light  and  heavy  soils  (although 
they  prefer  the  former),  and  in  the  most  Northern  as  well 
as  in  the  Southern  States. 

To  this  peculiarity  of  the  varieties  of  the  two  classes, 
we  owe,  in  a  great  measure,  the  diversity  of  opinion  so 
often  expressed  by  fruit  growers  from  the  different  sections 
of  the  country. 

The  Antwerp  class,  as  a  whole,  do  not  succeed  apon 
light  soils  south  of  latitude  forty-one,  and  they  sometimes 
fail  even  to  the  north  of  this.  In  the  sandy  soils  of  New 
Jersey,  and  farther  South,  their  leaves  burn  in  summer, 
which  prevents  the  canes  maturing;  consequently  they 
die  in  whiter  whether  covered  or  otherwise. 

This  has  been  one  of  the  great  obstacles  to  Raspberry 
culture,  as  this  class  has  been  the  one  chiefly  recommended, 
for  the  very  good  reason  that  the  fruit  was  of  superior 
quality,  although  the  plants  were  delicate. 

North  of  the  latitude  named,  very  few  of  the  varieties 
cultivated  are  hardy,  and  protection  in  winter  is  required. 
A  few  of  the  native  Red  kinds  will  withstand  the  cold  of 
winter  at  the  North,  but  for  some  cause  they  have  not  as 
yet  become  very  popular.  These  few  kinds,  which  arf 
hardy  at  the  North,  often  fail  at  the  South  from  the  cause 
named,  and  the  canes  winter-kill  even  in  a  very  mild 


RASPBBBBY. 

slimatc.  The  fact  that  one  class  succeeds  better  in  a 
heavy  soil  than  a  light  one  should  not  be  overlooked,  even 
at  the  South,  but  taken  advantage  of  whenever  practicable. 

SELECTION    OF    PLANTS. 

The  canes  of  all  the  varieties  of  Raspberries  are  only 
biennial,  that  is,  canes  are  produced  one  year,  bear  fruit 
the  next,  and  then  die ;  therefore  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  two  or  three  year  old  plants,  as  with  trees  and  vines., 
when  we  refer  to  the  stems,  but  the  roots  may  be  several 
years  old,  as  they  are  perennial.  One  year  old  plants  are 
the  best  for  transplanting  in  all  cases.  Suckers  are  con- 
sidered the  best  plants  with  those  kinds  which  produce 
them,  but  plants  grown  from  root  cuttings,  if  the  opera- 
tion is  properly  performed,  are  equally  as  good,  and  some- 
times they  are  really  superior,  because  furnished  with  a 
larger  number  of  fibrous  roots.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
those  grown  from  cuttings  of  the  stems ;  they  may  be  of 
first  rate  quality  or  otherwise. 

The  old  stools  may  also  be  taken  up  and  divided  and 
planted  again,  but  such  plants  are  not  to  be  recommended, 
and  should  never  be  used  if  it  can  be  avoided.  With 
those  kinds  which  produce  plants  from  the  tips  of  the 
canes,  it  is  more  important  to  select  none  older  than  one 
season,  because  the  old  plants  produce  new  fibers  very 
slowly  at  the  best,  and  when  transplanted  they  are  very 
likely  to  fail,  even  with  the  best  of  care. 

PLANTING    AND    CULTURE. 

Thorough  preparation  of  the  soil  before  planting  is  jus 
W  important  with  the  Raspberry  as  with  other  fruits. 

Planting  in  rows  and  then  restricting  the  plants  to  hills 
or  stools,  as  it  is  termed,  is  the  usual  method. 

The  rows  should  be  four  to  six  feet  apart,  according  to 
the  variety  cultivated.  With  the  Antwerp,  and  similar 
varieties,  four  feet  each  way  is  the  usual  distance,  but  with 


138  SMALL  FBUTT   CULTUBIST. 

the  stronger  growing  kinds  the  rows  should  De  at  least 
six  feet  apart,  and  the  plants  four  or  five  feet  apart  in  th« 
rows. 

In  planting  the  smaller  growing  kinds,  two  plants  may 
be  set  in  a  hill,  placing  them  about  six  inches  apart ;  for 
in  this  way  we  double  the  chances  of  securing  a  uniform 
plantation,  because  one  may  die  and  the  other  live ;  and 
if  both  should  grow,  a  large  stool  will  be  secured  in  less 
time  than  if  the  plants  were  placed  singly.  The  first  cost 
of  the  plant  is  not  usually  of  so  much  importance  as  the 
loss  of  a  crop,  or  of  a  year  in  time,  which  would  be  the 
result  wherever  the  plants  should  die  and  have  to  be  re- 
placed. Spring  is  the  usual  time  in  the  Northern  States 
for  planting  the  Raspberry,  and  the  fall  for  sections  where 
the  ground  does  not  freeze  very  deeply. 

Select  plants  that  have  plenty  of  small  fibrous  roots, 
and  set  them  no  deeper  than  they  were  before  removal. 
The  upper  tier  of  roots  is  usually  about  four  inches  below 
the  surface,  but  in  some  instances  they  will  be  at  a  faf 
greater  depth.  It  is  not  advisable,  however,  to  plant 
deeply,  because  the  suckers  which  spring  from  the  stem 
below  ground,  or  from  the  lateral  roots,  will  not  come  up 
so  freely  when  the  plants  are  set  deep  as  when  shallow. 
At  the  time  of  planting,  cut  the  canes  down  close  to  the 
surface  of  the  soil,  because  if  they  are  left  entire,  it  will 
require  nearly,  if  not  quite,  all  the  strength  of  the  root  to 
force  the  buds  on  them  into  growth.  These  will  produce 
a  few  weak  shoots,  and  perhaps  some  fruit,  and  then  the 
sanes  will  die  down  to  the  root  and  no  farther. 

The  entire  forces  of  the  plant  are  required  the  first  sea- 
eon  to  produce  canes,  if  anything  like  a  crop  of  fruit  is 
expected  the  next. 

In  some  sections  of  the  country  the  soil  is  naturally 
very  poor,  and  it  may  also  be  very  difficult  to  obtain  su£ 
ficient  manure  to  enrich  the  whole  of  it  before  planting. 
Under  such  circumstances,  the  plants  may  be  manured  ii 


RABPBERBT.  139 

the  hill  by  mixing  a  shovel  full  or  more  with  the  soil  at 
the  point  marked  for  the  plants  before  setting  them. 

Afterwards  manure  may  be  applied  to  the  surface  of  th* 
soil,  and  worked  in  with  plow  or  cultivator.  If  barn-yard 
manure,  or  a  compost  of  it,  and  other  materials  cannot  be 
obtained,  then  bone,  poudrette,  or  some  other  kind  may 
be  applied. 

A  plow  or  cultivator  may  be  used  among  the  plants  for 
keeping  the  weeds  down  in  summer,  but  keep  the  soil  as 
nearly  level  as  possible ;  never  bank  up  the  plants  and  let 
them  remain  in  this  situation  for  any  considerable  time. 
A  small  plow  may  be  used  to  break  up  the  soil  between 
the  rows  whenever  it  is  necessary,  but  the  cultivator 
should  be  passed  over  it  soon  after,  to  level  it  down  again. 

If  the  variety  cultivated  is  one  that  increases  by  suckers, 
allow  but  one  or  two  from  each  root  to  grow  the  first  sea- 
son, and  not  more  than  six  to  eight  from  one  stool  in  any 
one  year  thereafter,  unless  the  production  of  plants  is  more 
important  than  that  of  fruit. 

The  fruiting  canes  will  not  always  remain  in  one  place, 
as  the  suckers  will  come  up  more  freely  upon  one  side 
than  upon  another,  and  the  uniform  distances  between  the 
stools  will  soon  be  lost,  and  some  will  be  six  feet  apart 
while  others  not  more  than  two.  A  little  care  given  at 
the  time  the  suckers  are  making  their  appearance  in  early 
summer,  by  cutting  out  where  they  are  likely  to  be 
crowded,  and  preserving  all  where  they  are  thin,  will  ena- 
ble the  grower  to  preserve  the  required  number  of  bear- 
ing canes  in  each  row. 

It  will  often  be  necessary  to  use  the  hoe  among  the 
plants,  because  the  plow  or  cultivator  cannot  be  used  to 
advantage,  except  in  passing  lengthwise  of  the  rows, 
except  for  the  first  year  or  two,  and  not  then  unless  great 
care  was  observed  in  planting,  so  that  the  rows  are  placed 
in  direct  lines  each  way. 

Clean  cultivation  is  important,  because  if  the  plants  be- 


140  BMAIX  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

come  choked  with  grass  and  weeds,  it  will  check  then 
growth,  and  not  only  the  fruiting  canes  will  suffer  for 
moisture,  hut  those  intended  for  the  next  season's  crop. 

With  varieties  which  produce  no  suckers  from  lateral 
roots,  but  only  from  the  crowns  of  the  main  root,  greatef 
uniformity  can  he  preserved  in  their  cultivation.  The 
3nly  precaution  necessary  is  to  see  that  too  many  canes 
do  not  grow  ;  three  or  four  are  sufficient,  all  others  should 
be  out  off  when  they  first  appear. 

PRUNING. 

Very  little  pruning  is  necessary  with  the  Raspberry,  and 
in  general  field  culture  none  is  given,  except  to  go  over  the 
plantation  after  fruiting  and  cut  out  close  to  the  ground 
all  of  the  old  canes.  Some  defer  this  operation  until  win- 
ter or  the  following  spring,  but  it  is  better  to  do  it  soon 
after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  so  that  the  young  canes  shall 
not  be  crowded  by  the  old  ones.  Because  no  other  pru- 
ning is  generally  practiced,  it  is  no  sufficient  reason  why  it  is 
not  necessary,  or  that  it  would  not  be  beneficial.  The  bear- 
ing canes  should  be  pruned  in  the  spring  by  heading  back 
the  leading  shoots,  and  shortening  the  lateral  ones.  This 
operation  is  particularly  beneficial  to  the  Black  Raspberry, 
Purple  Cane,  and  others  of  this  class,  inasmuch  as  they 
produce  such  long  slender  canes  that  they  would  be 
broken  or  bent  to  the  ground  by  the  weight  of  fruit  un- 
less severely  pruned. 

/1\\Q  principal  canes,  as  well  as  the  lateral  ones,  should  be 
shortened  to  about  one-third  their  original  length.  When 
pruned  in  this  manner  the  fruit  will  be  much  larger,  and 
the  plant  will  yield  as  many  quarts  as  though  the  canes 
were  left  their  full  length.  Besides,  the  plants  will  very 
often  set  more  fruit  when  left  unpruned  than  they  can 
mature,  and  all  is  lost. 

r^There  are  a  few  varieties  in  cultivation  which  product 
two  crops  in  a  season  ;  that  is,  the  year  old  canes  throw 


RASPBERRY.  141 

oat  lateral  fruiting  branches  the  same  as  other  kinds,  and 
the  new  canes  of  the  season  bear  fruit  on  their  terminal 
point  or  branches  in  autumn.  This  second  crop,  or  what 
is  really  the  first  crop  of  the  cane,  is  usually  not  a  very 
abundant  one,  although  highly  prized  by  some  persons, 
because  produced  at  other  than  the  usual  season  for  such 
fruit.  If  it  is  desirable  to  increase  the  late  crop,  then  the 
entire  plants  should  be  cut  down  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
pruning.  This  will  cause  the  young  canes  to  start  early, 
and  having  the  whole  root  for  their  support,  they  will 
come  into  bearing  earlier  in  the  fall,  and  bear  more  abun- 
dantly than  if  two  crops  were  produced. 

TRAINING. 

In  general  field  culture  the  usual  mode  is  to  train  to 
stakes,  but  many  cultivators  are  now  dispensing  with 
these  artificial  aids,  and  by  close  pruning  they  endeavor 
to  make  the  canes  sustain  their  fruit  without  assistance. 

I  think,  however,  that  it  is  questionable  at  least  whether 
there  is  really  anything  saved  by  not  using  stakes,  because 
many  of  the  canes  will  be  blown  down  by  the  wind,  others 
will  be  broken  by  the  weight  of  fruit,  while  the  lateral 
branches  will  fall  upon  the  ground,  and  the  fruit  become 
splashed  with  soil,  thus  making  it  unfit  for  use.  The  cost 
of  stakes  is  but  a  trifle  in  comparison  to  the  value  of  the 
fruit  lost  when  they  are  not  used,  especially  when  it  com- 
mands so  large  a  price  as  it  does  in  most  of  our  eastern 
maikets. 

Chestnut  stakes  five  feet  long  and  two  to  three  inches  in 
diameter,  made  from  large  trees,  cost  me  less  than  two 
cents  each,  and  my  location  is  within  twenty  miles  of  New 
York  City,  and  where  timber  of  all  kinds  commands  a 
large  price.  I  cannot  afford  to  grow  Raspberries  without 
staking,  because  every  stake  will  save  on  an  average  ten 
cents  worth  of  fruit,  and  in  many  instances  three  time* 
that  amount. 


142  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUKIST. 

In  the  great  Raspberry  plantations  of  New  York,  stakes 
are  used,  and  every  fruiting  cane  is  tied  up^  early  in  spring. 
The  stakes  used  are  four  or  five  feet  long,  one  being  driven 
near  each  stool,  and  the  canes  tied  loosely  to  it.  After  the 
crop  has  been  gathered,  the  stakes  are  all  taken  up  and 
put  away  under  cover  until  wanted  the  next  season.  The 
old  canes  are  all  removed  in  the  fall,  and  all  suckers  not 
wanted  for  fruiting  are  taken  up,  preparatory  to  giving 
winter  protection  to  those  that  remain. 

WINTER   PROTECTION. 

Until  within  a  very  few  years,  the  varieties  principally 
cultivated  for  market  were  those  of  foreign  origin.  Oc- 
casionally one  would  be  introduced  that  was  quite  hardy 


.  59.  —  LAYING  DOWN  THE  CANES. 


even  in  the  Northern  States,  but  as  a  whole  they  required 
protection  to  insure  a  full  crop.  Many  different  methods 
for  protecting  the  plants  in  winter  have  been  suggested 
and  tried,  but  there  is  probably  none  so  simple  or  cheap 
as  that  of  laying  down  the  plants  and  covering  with  soil. 
To  perform  this  operation  rapidly,it  requires  two  men,  one 
to  bend  down  the  plants  while  the  other  throws  a  shovel 
full  of  soil  upon  them,  or  just  enough  to  keep  them  in 
place.  The  canes  should  be  bent  down  lengthwise  of  the 
row,  as  shown  in  figure  59.  When  the  plants  have  all 
been  laid  down,  a  plow  is  passed  along  on  each  side  of  the 
row,  turning  the  soil  upon  them.  In  this  manner  an  acre 


RASPBEBBY.  143 

may  be  covered  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  fifteen  dollar*. 
The  plants  should  not  be  covered  until  the  approach  of 
cold  weather,  usually  deferring  the  operation  as  long  as  it 
can  be  with  safety.  If  the  canes  are  covered  while  the 
weather  is  warm,  or  before  they  are  fully  ripe,  they  will 
decay. 

In  the  spring,  after  all  danger  of  severe  freezing  is  past, 
take  up  the  canes  by  passing  a  fork  under  them,  gently 
lifting  and  shaking  off  the  soil.  Drive  down  the  stakes 
and  tie  the  canes  to  them  as  before.  Cut  off  all  dead  and 
broken  canes,  and  shorten  all  others.  When  the  canes  are 
rery  tall,  a  foot  or  more  may  be  pruned  off  with  benefit  to 
that  which  remains.  All  side  or  lateral  branches  should 
be  shortened  at  least  one-half,  and  sometimes  if  two-thirds 
of  their  length  were  cut  away,  it  would  be  still  better. 

GARDEN  CULTURE. 

The  same  general  systems  adapted  to  field  culture  are 
also  applicable  to  the  garden,  but  usually  more  care  will  be 
bestowed  upon  a  few  plants  than  upon  a  larger  number. 
When  only  a  few  are  grown,  they  may  be  watered,  or  the 
ground  covered  with  a  mulch,  either  of  which  operations 
will  assist  very  much  in  the  full  development  of  the  fruit. 

The  plants  may  also  be  allowed  to  bear  the  first  season, 
if  fruit  is  very  desirable,  for  by  giving  extra  care,  new 
canes  for  the  next  year  may  be  produced  from  the  same 
root,  besides  supporting  the  fruiting  cane.  It  is,  however, 
the  safest  plan  to  set  three  or  four  plants  in  a  hill,  and  cut 
one  or  two  of  them  down  to  the  ground,  and  leave  the 
others  with  canes  about  two  feet  long.  Sometimes  quite 
a  large  crop  will  be  produced  on  plants  set  in  spring,  and 
though  it  usually  prevents  the  root  throwing  up  suckers 
strong  enough  to  bear  the  ensuing  year,  still,  with  plants 
that  cost  but  a  few  cents  each,  there  is  nothing  lost  even 
£  they  die  outright  after  fruiting.  With  those  who  are 
just  commencing  a  garden,  it  is  sometimes  quite  an  object  to 


SMALT.   FKUIT   CTJLTTJEIST. 

have  fruit  the  first  season,  even  if  there  is  no  profit  in  the  op- 
eration. A  different  system  of  training  may  also  be  adopted, 
and  instead  of  stakes,  a  simple  and  cheap  trellis  may  be  made 
by  setting  strong  stakes  about  twenty  feet  apart  along  the 
rows,  and  then  stretch  a  wire  from  one  to  the  other,  and 


—  RASPBERRY  TRELLIS. 


to  this  tie  the  fruiting  canes,  as  shown  in  figure  60.  If 
the  variety  cultivated  is  tender,  then  bend  down  and  cover 
the  canes  with  soil  in  winter,  using  a  spade  or  shovel  in- 
stead of  the  plow. 


Fig.  61. — TRAINING  TO  STAKES. 

Another  method  is  shown  in  figure  61.  In  this  the 
stakes  are  driven  on  opposite  sides  of  the  stools  and  about 
two  feet  distant,  the  bearing  canes  are  bent  over  and  tied 
in  the  manner  shown.  The  young  shoots  of  the  season 
will  not  always  grow  up  in  the  center  as  represented  in  the 
engraving,  but  that  is  the  place  where  it  would  be  desira- 
ble to  have  them  grow  to  enable  us  to  carry  out  this 


KASPBERRT. 


145 


Fig.   62.— HOOP  TRAIN- 
ING. 


somewhat  ideal  system.  The  bearing  canes  are  cut  away 
after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  and  the  next  spring  the  four 
young  canes  shown  in  an  upright  position,  are  bent  down 
in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  the  previous  year. 

Training  within  a  hoop  is  a  very  pretty  plan  for  small 
gardens.  This  is  done  by  driving  two  stakes,  one  on  each 
side  of  the  stool,  and  about  a  foot 
from  it ;  then  take  a  common  barrel 
hoop  and  nail  it  to  the  stakes,  as  in 
figure  62.  The  canes  are  trained  up 
within  the  hoop  and  tied  to  it  at 
regular  distances  apart,  thereby  sup- 
porting the  canes  and  preventing 
them  from  being  blown  about  by 
the  winds  and  injuring  the  fruit. 

There  are  many  other  very  neat 
and  convenient  systems  of  training 
the  Raspberry  in  use  among  amateur 
cultivators,  but  those  already  named  will  give  the  reader  a 
very  good  idea  of  their  general  scope,  besides  suggesting 
other  modes,  such  as  training  upon  walls,  fences,  along 
the  sides  of  walks  or  as  a  kind  of  a  hedge,  also  planting  and 
training  in  a  half  shady  situation,  with  a  northern  exposure 
for  a  late  crop,  and  in  one  of  an  opposite  character  for  an 
early  one. 

So  various  are  the  changes  that  can  be  made  in  every 
department  of  fruit-culture,  that  to  give  them  all  in  detail 
would  require  one  or  more  large  volumes  for  each  species 
in  cultivation. 

DURATION   OF  PLANTS. 

The  duration  of  a  Raspberry  plantation  will  depend 
very  much  upon  the  variety  cultivated,  as  well  as  upon  the 
nature  of  the  soil  and  care  given  the  plants.  Ten  to  four- 
teen years  is  about  the  average  under  good  culture,  but 
sometimes  they  will  remain  productive  for  twenty  years, 
I 


146  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

No  rule  or  set  time  should  be  heeded  in  this  matter,  but 
so  soon  as  the  plants  fail  to  produce  remunerative  crops, 
plow  them  up  and  plant  some  other  crop  upon  the  soil, 
for  two  or  three  years,  after  which  it  may  again  be  planted 
with  Kaspberries  if  it  is  desirable. 

DISEASES  AND   INSECTS. 

The  diseases  affecting  the  Raspberry  are  principally 
those  known  by  the  common  names  of  rust  and  blight. 
They  are  microscopic  fungi  or  parasitic  plants  of  a  low 
order,  which  seem  to  thrive  best  under  conditions  inimi- 
cal to  their  victims.  If  plantations  of  the  Raspberry  are 
neglected,  and  weeds  are  permitted  to  grow  and  ab- 
sorb the  moisture  and  fertility  of  the  soil,  some  of  the 
many  species  of  rusts  are  pretty  certain  to  appear,  and 
aid  in  the  destruction  of  the  plants.  A  cold,  wet,  or  dry 
season,  over-bearing  of  the  plants,  exhaustion  of  the  fer- 
tility of  the  soil,  in  fact,  any  condition  unfavorable  to 
the  growth  of  the  Raspberry  canes,  is  usually  followed  by 
the  appearance  of  blight  or  rust.  A  peculiar  species  of 
red  or  orange-colored  rust  has,  of  late  years,  been  very 
prevalent  among  both  Raspberry  and  Blackberry  planta- 
tions of  the  Eastern  States,  but  appears  to  be  more 
abundant  and  injurious  to  Black-cap  Raspberries  than 
other  species.  It  has  received  the  scientific  name  of 
Uredo  rubrorum.  Various  remedies  hare  been  recom- 
me/ided,  and  while  some  may  answer,  together  with  good 
cultivation,  the  safest  plan  is  to  dig  up  and  burn  every 
infested  plant  as  soon  as  it  is  discovered  in  one's  grounds. 
Applications  of  lime,  salt,  ashes,  soot,  and  similar  ferti- 
lizers, may  in  some  instances  ward  off  attacks  of  fungoid 
diseases,  but  when  they  once  become  prevalent,  the  cul- 
tivator had  better  spend  his  time  in  setting  out  new 
plantations  on  fresh  soil,  than  in  attempting  to  renovate 
those  that  are  old  and  diseased, 


EASPBEEEY.  147 

With  insects  the  cultivator  has  a  better  chance  of  ob- 
taining the  mastery  than  with  the  microscopic  fungi, 
although  with  some  of  the  smaller  and  more  numerous 
species  of  insects,  he  has  enough  to  do  if  they  are  kept 
in  check.  Some  kinds  infest  both  the  Kaspberry  and 
Blackberry,  and  as  it  would  not  be  strange  to  find  almost 
any  of  the  species  passing  from  the  plants  of  one  to  the 
other,  I  shall  treat  of  the  enemies  of  both  in  this  place. 

The  common  cutworms  are  sometimes  very  destructive 
to  the  young  suckers  about  the  old  plants,  these  pests 
severing  them  as  they  appear  above  the  surface.  In  old 
and  well-established  plantations,  the  loss  of  a  few  hun- 
dreds or  thousands  of  new  shoots  will  not  be  missed,  for 
others  soon  appear  from  the  subterranean  stems  and  roots  ; 
but  in  newly  set  plantations,  the  destruction  of  the  first 
young  shoots  frequently  causes  the  roots  to  die,  and  re- 
planting becomes  necessary.  I  have  found  the  cutworms 
a  great  pest,  when  setting  out  Black-cap  tips,  they  ap- 
pearing to  be  very  fond  of  the  young  sprouts,  and  if  left 
undisturbed  will  very  soon  destroy  the  plants.  The  only 
certain  method  of  destruction  of  cutworms  is  to  search 
about  the  bills  or  plants  daily,  and  crush 
all  that  are  found.  They  usually  hide 
just  under  the  surface,  and  not  many 
inches  from  the  plants  they  have  attack- 
ed, or  are  about  to  prey  upon.  There 
are  also  several  leaf-cutting  pests  which 
occasionally  infest  Raspberry  plants,  but 
with  all  these,  dusting  the  plants  with 
lime,  ashes,  and  similar  insecticides,  will  Fig.  63.— RASP- 
usually  prove  effectual.  Among  the  in-  BERRY-BORER. 
sects  affecting  the  canes,  the  common  Raspberry-Borer,  01 
Red-necked  Buprestis  (Agrilus  ruficollis),  figure  63,  is 
probably  the  most  injurious,  at  least  in  the  Western 
States.  It  is  a  small  beetle  of  the  form  shown  in  the  en- 
graving, with  a  red  thorax  or  neck.  The  larva  bores  the 


148  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

canes  in  summer,  causing  large  excrescences  or  galls,  check- 
ing the  flow  of  sap,  and  causing  the  death  of  the  cane. 

The  Snowy  Tree-Cricket  (CEcantlms  niveus),  figure  64, 
is  another  insect  pest  that  appears  to  prefer  the  canes  of 
the  Easpberry  as  a  nidus  for  its  eggs,  to  the  twigs  of  other 
shrubs  and  trees.  It  will,  however,  if  there  are  no  Easp- 

berry  plants  handy,  de- 
posit its  eggs  in  the 
Grape,  Willow,  Peach, 
and  other  kinds  of  trees. 

Fig.  64.— SNOWY   TREE-CRICKET.  T.         ,  ,         .. 

Its  long,  slender  eggs 

are  deposited  in  a  close  compact  row,  each  egg  placed  at 
a  slight  angle,  and  deep  enough  to  reach  the  pith  of  the 
cane  or  twig.  This  weakens  the  canes,  and  they  are  often 
broken  off  by  the  wind.  This  breaking  of  the  stems  is 
not  a  serious  loss,  but  the  perfect  insect  has  the  very  bad 
habit  of  cutting  off  the  leaves  of  various  plants  in  sum- 
mer ;  and  sometimes  extends  its  mischievous  work  from 
Easpberry  plants  to  Grape  Vines,  from  which  it  cuts  both 
leaves  and  fruit ;  working  at  night  when  perfectly  safe 
from  observation.  To  get  rid  of  the  mature  insect,  I 
advise  gathering  the  egg-infested  canes  and  twigs  in  win- 
ter and  early  spring,  and  burning  them.  Of  the  insect 
enemies  of  the  Blackberry,  the  Bramble  Flea-Louse  (Psylla 
tripunctata,  Fitch ;  P.  rvb.,  Eiley)  has  been,  perhaps, 
the  most  formidable  of  late  years.  The  appearance  of 
this  insect  in  our  Blackberry  plantations,  in  sufficient 
number  to  do  any  considerable  damage,  is  quite  recent, 
probably  within  the  past  ten  years.  It  is  a  small  in- 
sect, and  is  quite  closely  allied  to  the  Green  Fly  or  Plant- 
Louse  (Aphis),  but  is  distinguished  from  that  by  a  differ- 
ent veining  of  the  wings,  and  by  having  knobbed  antennae, 
somewhat  like  those  of  the  butterfly.  These  insects  jump 
as  briskly  as  a  flea,  from  which  characteristic  they  derive 
their  scientific  name.  The  presence  of  this  pest  in  a 
Blackberry  plantation  is  readily  detected  by  the  leaves  of 


RASPBERRY.  149 

the  infested  shoots  in  summer  being  twisted  and  curled 
up,  and  the  ends  of  the  young  canes  also  curl  over  and 
frequently  assume  a  singular  fasciated  form.  In  the  fall 
the  leaves  on  the  infested  canes  do  not  drop  off,  but  curl 
up,  and  remain  attached  to  the  diseased  stems.  This 
pest  appears  to  be  on  the  increase,  especially  in  the  Eastern 
States,  and  every  one  having  Blackberry  plants  in  his 
garden  should  be  on  the  look-out  for  it,  and,  when  found, 
it  should  be  gathered  and  burned.  This  operation  should 
be  performed  either  earl}/  in  the  morning  or  during  the 
cool  wet  weather,  else  many  of  the  insects  will  escape, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  shoots,  as  severed,  should  be 
immediately  dropped  into  bags,  and  then  carried  to  the 
place  where  they  are  to  be  burned. 

Several  species  of  borers  infest  the  Blackberry ;  one  of 
the  most  common  is  a  red-necked  beetle,  the  Oberea  per- 
spicillata  of  Haldeman,  figure  65.     The  small 
eyeless  grubs  bore  the  pith  of  the  canes,  causing 
them  to  die  prematurely,   or  so  weakening 
them  that  they  are  broken  down  by  the  wind. 
As  there  are  some  fourteen  or  fifteen  species 
of  the  Oberea  described  in  our  entomological 
works,  it  may  be  that  more  than  one  infest 
the  canes  of  the  Blackberry  and  Kaspberry.  BUSHBOKEK. 

The  Blackberry  is  subject  to  the  attacks  of  several 
species  of  gall-insects.  A  fuzzy,  prickly  gall  on  the  twigs 
is  produced  by  a  four-winged  fly  (Diastrophus  cuscutce- 
formis  0.  S).  Another  species  of  the  same  genus  (Dias- 
trophus nebulosus  0.  S. )  produces  a  large  pithy  gall  on 
the  canes,  but  both  of  these  gall-makers  have  very  formid- 
able parasitic  enemies  which  keep  them  in  check.  There 
are  also  a  few  leaf-eating  beetles,  slugs,  and  caterpillars, 
that  sometimes  attack  the  Blackberry,  but  they  are  sel- 
dom sufficiently  numerous  or  injurious  to  attract  much 
attention.  The  larger  species  are  readily  destroyed  by 


'UVI  VU/  JJV I  ~ 

II 


150  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

hand-gathering,  and   the  smaller  ones   can  usually  be 
driven  off  by  dusting  the  plants  with  lime. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    VARIETIES. 
NATIVE    SPECIES    AND    VARIETIES. 

CLASS  I. — THE  BLACK  CAPS  (Rubus  Occident  alis). 

American  Black.  (Black  Raspberries,  Black  Cap 
Raspberry,  Thimble  Berry).  — Fruit  medium,  slightly 
oval,  black  with  bloom ;  sweet  pleasant  flavor ;  there  is  but 
little  juice,  a  greater  portion  of  the  berry  being  seeds. 
The  plant  roots  from  the  ends  of  the  young  canes.  In  its 
wild  state  one  of  the  most  variable  species  known.  Com- 
mon in  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

American  White  Cap.  (Yellow  Cap,  Golden  Cap.) — 
Fruit  one-half  to  five-eighths  of  an  inch  broad  ;  slightly 
oval ;  grains  larger  than  in  the  preceding  variety ;  pale 
or  deep  yellow,  covered  with  a  white  bloom  ;  sweet,  juicy, 
rather  musky,  but  agreeable  ;  canes  light  yellow,  slightly 
glaucous,  very  strong,  stocky,  with  a  few  short  spines ; 
only  moderately  productive.  This  variety  is  also  found 
wild  from  Maine  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  probably 
farther  West.  I  have  received  it  from  nearly  all  the 
Northern  States,  and  from  the  southern  portion  of  the 
State  of  Delaware. 

American  Improved.  (Doolittle's  Black  Cap,  Joslyn's 
Improved,  Improved  Black  Cap  Raspberry).  —  Large, 
black,  with  slight  bloom ;  sweet,  juicy,  of  the  same  flavor 
as  the  Wild  Black  Raspberry ;  canes  very  vigorous,  with 
numerous  strong-hooked  prickles.  The  extremely  thorny 
character  of  the  plant  is  its  greatest  fault,  as  it  is  equally 
as  disagreeable  a  subject  to  work  among  as  the  Blackberry. 
Very  productive  and  hardy.  Found  growing  wild  by 
Leander  Joslyn,  of  Phelps,  Ontario  County,  K  Y. 


RASPBEREY.  151 

Caroline. — Very  large ;  globular ;  pale  buff  or  yellow, 
with  slight  bloom  ;  juicy,  with  a  sub-acid  flavor.  Ex- 
cellent for  one  of  its  class.  This  is  claimed  to  be  a  hybrid 
between  the  Catawisss,  and  Brinckle's  Orange,  but  I  think 
this  is  doubtful,  as  it  is  far  more  hardy  and  vigorous  than 
either  of  the  alleged  parents,  and  the  canes  and  leaves 
show  it  to  be  a  genuine  offspring  of  Rubus  occidental**. 
It  is  certainly  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  very  best,  of  the 
Yellow  Cap  varieties.  The  plants  produce  a  few  suckers 
from  the  roots,  and  this  characteristic  is  cited  as  proof  of 
its  being  a  hybrid.  Originated  with  Mr.  E.  W.  Carpen- 
ter, of  Rye,  N.  Y. 

Davison's  Thornless.  (Thomless  Black  Cap.}— About 
the  same  size  and  shape  as  the  American  Improved,  but  a 
week  or  ten  days  earlier.  Canes  strong  and  quite  stocky, 
smooth,  except  a  very  few  small  straight  spines  near  the 
base  and  an  occasional  one  on  the  leaf -stalk.  The  thorn- 
less  character  of  the  plant  is  certainly  a  decided  improve- 
ment upon  those  which  produce  thorns  in  such  abundance 
as  do  some  others.  Originated  in  the  garden  of  Mrs. 
Mercy  Davison,  in  the  village  of  Gowanda,  N.  Y.  ;  intro- 
duced to  the  public  in  1866,  by  Joseph  Sinton,  Angola, 
Erie  County,  N.  Y. 

Gregg. — Berry  very  large  ;  black,  with  bloom  ;  flavor 
about  the  same  as  that  of  all  the  best  sorts,  but  not  supe- 
rior ;  ripens  late,  and  with  the  McCormick ;  plant  vig- 
orous and  productive.  Found  growing  wild  in  a  ravine 
on  the  Gregg  farm,  Ohio  Co.,  Indiana,  in  1866.  This 
variety  has  been  highly  extolled,  and  while  I  am  ready 
to  admit  that  it  is  a  valuable  variety  of  Black-cap  Rasp- 
berry, I  fail  to  see  that  it  is  in  any  way  superior  to  many 
other  older  and  well  known  sorts. 

McCormick.  (Large  Miami.  Mammoth  Cluster.) — 
Very  large  ;  black,  covered  with  a  whitish  bloom.  One 
of  the  very  largest  and  best  sorts  in  cultivation,  ripening 


152  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

some  two  weeks  later  than  the  Doolittle,  and  a  week  or 
more  later  than  the  Seneca.  Plants  very  strong,  vigor- 
ous, and  productive.  An  old  variety,  found  in  Ohio  some 
thirty  years  ago,  but  re-named  and  brought  out  as  new 
since  the  first  edition  of  this  work  was  issued.  There 
seems  to  have  been  two  varieties  known  as  Miami.  The 
large  and  small ;  the  first,  however,  was  known  locally 
as  McCormick,  being  named  from  the  man  who  first  cul- 
tivated and  distributed  the  plants  to  his  neighbors. 

Miami  Black  Cap. — Large ;  dark  brown,  almost  black ; 
sweet,  juicy,  and  good.  A  little  later  than  the  American 
Improved,  and  the  spines  not  so  numerous.  Hardy,  pro- 
ductive, and  valuable.  From  the  Miami  Valley,  Ohio. 

Ohio  Everbearing.  (Monthly  Black  Cap.)  —  Large; 
black ;  sweet,  and  moderately  juicy ;  canes  strong,  and 
rather  more  upright  than  some  others  ;  spines  strong, 
hooked,  and  numerous ;  very  productive.  The  young 
canes  produce  a  moderate  crop  in  autumn.  Cultivated 
among  the  Quakers  in  Ohio,  and  introduced  to  public 
notice  many  years  ago,  by  N.  Longworth,  of  Cincinnati. 

Seneca* — Large ;  black,  with  slight  bloom,  and  good 
flavor;  plants  vigorous  and  productive.  An  excellent 
sort  to  fill  up  the  season  between  the  earliest  and  latest 
varieties.  A  good  market  variety. 

Summit  Yellow  Cap, — Medium  size ;  pale  pink  or  nearly 
white  in  the  shade  ;  rather  dry,  but  very  sweet ;  ripens  a 
little  later  than  the  Common  Black  Cap ;  canes  strong 
and  vigorous,  pale-orange  yellow,  with  considerable  bloom  ; 
spines  short,  slightly  hooked,  and  rather  numerous.  From 
Summit  Township,  Crawford  County,  Pa. 

Surprise. — Very  similar  to  the  American  Improved, 
but  the  berries  are  larger,  more  conical,  and  covered  with 
a  thick  bloom ;  sweet,  sprightly,  and  good ;  a  valuable 
variety.  Found  growing  wild  in  Missouri. 


RASPBERRY.  153 

CLASS  II.  -— PURPLE  CANE  FAMILY. 

A  portion  at  least  of  the  following  kinds  are  supposed 
to  belong  to  the  same  species  as  the  common  Black  Cap 
Raspberry  (R.  occidentalis.)  But  as  they  have  a  few 
characteristics  in  common,  which  are  not  found  in  the 
wild  Black  Easpberry,  nor  in  any  other  species,  I  have 
placed  them  in  a  list  by  themselves. 

This  separation  is  not  claimed  to  be  a  strictly  scientific 
one,  but  as  a  matter  of  convenience. 

The  old  Purple  Cane  Raspberry  is  so  well  known  that 
I  have  selected  it  as  the  type  or  representative  of  this 
class. 

The  principal  difference  between  the  varieties  of  the 
Black  Cap  and  the  Purple  Cane  is  in  the  fruit.  The  first, 
as  is  well  known,  have  a  rather  dry,  tough  fruit,  with  a  pe- 
culiar flavor.  Its  grains  numerous,  and  very  irregular  in 
size.  The  fruit  of  Purple  Cane,  as  a  rule,  is  rather  soft, 
juicy,  often  very  brittle,  the  grains  separating  very  readily. 
Color,  varying  from  light  red  to  dark  brownish-purple, 
but  never  black ;  the  flavor  mild  and  agreeable,  but  en- 
tirely distinct  from  those  of  the  true  Black  Raspberry. 

Catawissa.  —  Medium,  round,  dark  reddish-purple, 
rather  brittle  and  soft,  juicy,  moderately  good,  canes 
strong,  very  branching,  bark  dark  brown,  and  few  hooked 
spines.  Produces  a  second  crop  in  autumn.  If  the  whole 
stool  is  cut  down  in  spring,  the  young  canes  of  the  season 
will  come  into  fruit  early,  and  continue  bearing  until 
winter.  The  fruit  is  borne  principally  on  the  ends  of  the 
shoots  of  those  which  do  not  bend  down  and  take  root. 
Suckers  are  also  produced  very  sparingly,  but  if  the  stools 
are  taken  up,  and  the  roots  left  in  the  ground,  a  greater 
number  will  grow  than  otherwice.  The  plant  is  quite 
tender  in  the  Northern  Stales,  and  even  in  the  locality 
where  it  was  discovered,  it  is  sometimes  winter-killed. 


SMALL   FEFIT   CULTUKIST. 


Fig.  66. — LEAP  OF  PHILADELPHIA  RASPBERRY. 


RASPBERRY.  155 

I  have  cultivated  this  variety  about  ten  years,  and  have 
never  as  yet  had  a  plant  survive  the  winter  unless  protected. 
It  is  of  no  particular  value  unless  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
ducing a  late  crop,  and  to  insure  this  the  entire  plant 
must  be  cut  down  early  in  spring.  This  variety  was  found 
in  a  graveyard,  in  the  Village  of  Catawissa,  Columbia 
County,  Pa. 

Ellisdale.  —  Large,  roundish-oval,  grains  medium  to 
large,  quite  regular  in  size  ;  color,  light  crimson  or  dark 
scarlet;  rather  firm  and  of  good  flavor ;  canes  very  strong, 
light  red,  smooth,  with  a  few  straight  spines  near  the 
base,  and  an  occasional  hooked  one  on  the  upper  portion. 
The  plant  produces  no  suckers  from  its  lateral  roots,  but 
propagates  from  the  tips  of  the  canes,  the  same  as  the 
Purple  Cane.  New,  not  thoroughly  tested  at  the  East, 
but  considered  as  a  very  valuable  variety  in  the  locality 
where  it  originated.  Found  in  1856,  by  Mr.  J.  E.  John- 
son, growing  on  the  Ellisdale  farm,  in  Pottawatomie 
County,  Iowa.  The  stock  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
H.  A.  Terry,  of  Crescent  City,  Iowa,  for  propagation  and 
dissemination. 

Gardiner. — A  very  large,  coarse  growing  sort,  with 
large,  dark,  dull  red,  poor  flavored  fruit.  I  tested  a  few 
plants  when  it  was  first  sent  out,  some  fifteen  years  ago, 
and  then  dug  them  up.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it 
received  no  better  treatment  from  other  growers,  as  it  ap- 
pears to  have  dropped  out  of  sight  and  cultivation. 

Ganarqua. — This  is  another  variety  of  the  Gardiner 
class,  and  having  had  a  brief  notoriety  is  passing  out  of 
cultivation.  The  fruit  is  rather  large,  well  flavored,  and 
attractive  in  appearance.  This  was  claimed  to  be  a  hybrid 
when  first  disseminated. 

Purple  Cane.  (American  Red  Cane.}  —  Medium,  or 
small,  roundish,  dark  dull  red,  with  bloom;  grains  large, 
soft,  sweet,  very  good ;  canes  very  strong ;  growing  eight 


156 


SMALL  FEUIT   CULTURIST. 


to  twelve  feet  long,  smooth,  with  a  few  straight  spines  at 
the  base,  and  a  few  hooked  spines  above  ;  vigorous  and 
productive,  fruit  good  for  home  use,  but  too  soft  for 
market.  This  variety  has  been  in  cultivation  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  New  York  for  at  least  fifty  years.  Propagates  from 
the  tips  of  the  young  canes,  and  produces  no  suckers. 

Philadelphia. — Medium  to  large,  globular,  dark  red, 
scarcely  any  bloom,  moderately  firm,  sub-acid,  not  rich, 


Fig.  67.— 

nor  very  juicy;  grains  large,  adaci-e  inci-e  firmly  than  those 
of  the  Purple  Cane;  canes  x3rect,  strong,  and  stocky,  dark 
red  or  purple,  branching ;  spines  very  small,  straight,  and 
scattering,  almost  spineless;  leaves  large,  dark  green  above, 
lighter  beneath,  very  thick  and  tough,  have  a  peculiar 
wavy  appearance  on  the  upper  side,  finely  serrated. 


RASPBERRY.  157 

Figure  66  shows  the  general  form  of  the  leaf,  and  figure 
G7,  a  cluster  of  fruit  of  the  average  size  under  common 
field  culture.  The  canes  do  not  bend  over  and  root  from 
the  tips,  like  the  Purple  Cane,  but  produce  suckers, 
although  rather  sparingly  ;  very  hardy  and  wonderfully 
productive.  Found  growing  within  the  present  limits  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  some  thirty  or  more  years  ago. 
It  has  lately  become  very  popular  as  a  market  variety,  and 
for  some  soils  and  locations  is  unexcelled.  This  is  par- 
ticularly the  case  in  the  sandy  soils  of  New  Jersey,  where 
all  of  the  finest  foreign  varieties  fail,  and  no  amount  of 
care  will  enable  the  growers  to  secure  a  remunerative 
crop.  It  has  been  widely  disseminated  in  the  past  few 
years,  and  very  favorable  reports  are  being  received  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  in  regard  to  its  hardiness  and 
productiveness. 

Reliance. — This  is  said  to  be  a  seedling  of  the  Phila- 
delphia, and  resembles  its  parent,  but,  as  usual,  it  is 
claimed  to  be  far  superior.  I  have  not  seen  it,  therefore 
cannot  speak  from  experience  as  to  its  value,  but  those 
who  saw  this  variety  when  exhibited  a  few  years  ago  at 
Philadelphia,  speak  of  it  as  strongly  resembling  its  parent, 
the  Philadelphia,  with  the  same  dull  color. 

CLASS  3. — VARIETIES  OF  RUBUS  STRIGOSUS. 
(Wild  Red  Raspberry.) 

The  common  Wild  Red  Raspberry  of  our  country  pos- 
sesses many  valuable  qualities,  even  in  its  normal  state, 
as  every  boy  in  the  rural  districts  knows.  Without  any 
thought  of  varieties,  he  is  aware  that  a  certain  locality, 
the  bushes  along  a  certain  road,  for  example,  give 
him  better  fruit  than  he  can  find  elsewhere.  But 
to  produce  new  and  improved  varieties  from  it  has 


158  SMALL   FKUIT   CULTUBIST. 

seldom  been  attempted,  because  foreign  kinds  were  at 
hand  that  apparently  possessed  qualities  superior  to  our 
own  ;  consequently  we  have  very  few  native  kinds  worthy 
of  cultivation.  This  is  certainly  to  be  regretted ;  inas- 
much as  the  foreign  va- 
rieties are  usually  ten- 
der, while  our  native 
kinds  are  quite  hardy, 
and  there  can  scarcely 
be  a  doubt  that  if  the 
same  persistent  efforts 
had  been  put  forth  to 
improve  them,  as  have 
been  expended  upon  the 
foreign  sorts,  we  would 
now  have  varieties  of 
the  native  species  far 
superior  to  any  that  we 
have  obtained  from 
abroad. 

The  variableness  of 
the  Rubus  strigosus  is 
worthy  of  being  particu-i 
larly  noticed  by  those 
who  may  attempt  its  im-i 
Fig.  68.— STEM  OP  WLLD  BED.  provement.  Some  of  the 
wild  varieties  produce  an  immense  number  of  suckers, 
others  but  very  few.  Some  have  very  smooth  canes, 
others  are  covered  with  close  set  spines  or  bristly 
hairs,  as  shown  in  figure  68.  The  fruit  is  also  variable 
in  color,  from  a  dark  red  to  a  light  bright  crimson ; 
globular  or  conical  in  shape,  and  of  medium  size.  Figure 
69  shows  a  fruit  of  about  the  average  size  when  grown 
in  good  soil. 

Figure  63  shows  a  fruit  branch  when  coming  into  bloom, 
and  figure  64,  a  leaf,  both  somewhat  reduced  in  size.     The 


EASPBEREY. 


159 


leaves  are  bright  green  and  whitish-downy  underneath, 
but  not  so  much  so  as  in  some  of  the  foreign  varieties. 

Allen's  Red  Prolific. — Medium,  globular,  light  crim- 
son, separates  freely  from,  the  core,  juicy,  but  mild 
flavor ;  canes  strong,  erect,  reddish  purple  when  mature ; 


Fig.  69. — FRUIT   OP  WILD  RBI). 

spines  white,  long,  slender,  very  few  and  scattering  ;  leaves 
thin,  oblong,  pointed,  evenly  serrated,  not  toothed.  Not 
very  prolific,  and  produces  suckers  rather  freely,  but  not 
so  abundant  as  the  next. 

Allen's   Antwerp. — Similar  in   size,   shape,   color   and 


160 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUEIST. 


quality  to  the  last,  the  leaves  deeply  serrated  or  toothed, 
and  of  more  substance ;  spines  very  numerous,  and  of  a 


Fig.  70.— FLOWERING  STEM  OP  WILD  RED. 

reddish-purple  color.     Both  this  and  the  preceding  variety 
were  sent  out  by  L.  F.  Allen,  Black  Rock,  N.  Y.,  about 


EASPBEEEY.  IfeX 

ten  years  ago,  but  they  have  been  placed  on  the  rejected 


Fig.  71.— LEAF   OF   WILD  RED. 


list  by  the  American  Pomological  Society,  and  almost  uni- 

7* 


162  SMALL  FKUIT  CULTURIST. 

versally  discarded  by  fruit  growers.  They  were  not 
claimed  to  be  seedlings  by  Mr.  Allen,  but  merely  acci- 
dental varieties  of  the  wild  Red  Raspberry  of  his  locality. 
I  have  been  more  particular  in  giving  them  a  description, 
because  it  is  very  probable  that  they  will  again  be  brought 
forward  by  other  parties  as  new  and  valuable  varieties. 

Brandy winet  (Susqueco.  Wilmington.) — Medium  to 
large ;  round ;  bright  scarlet ;  firm,  and  of  agreeable 
flavor ;  canes  stocky,  but  rather  short,  of  a  reddish  color, 
bearing  a  few  light-colored  spines  or  prickles  ;  plants 
productive,  and  very  hardy.  An  excellent  market  variety, 
but  because  of  its  rather  dwarfish  growth  it  requires  a 
strong,  rich  soil.  Origin  unknown,  but  supposed  to  have 
been  found  near  Wilmington,  Del. 

Cuthbert.  (Queen  of  the  Market.) — Large  ;  roundish- 
conical  ;  bright  red ;  firm,  but  juicy,  with  a  sprightly, 
agreeable  flavor ;  canes  strong  and  stocky,  well  beset 
with  small  straight  prickles ;  leaves  firm,  dark  green, 
and  resisting  the  hot  sun  as  well  as  any  of  our  native 
sorts.  Very  hardy  and  productive,  and  altogether  one  of 
the  very  best  of  our  native  red  Raspberries.  Originated 
in  the  grounds  of  the  late  Thomas  Cuthbert,  at  Riverdale, 
N.  J.,  and  disseminated  by  Mr.  I.  J.  Simonson,  of  Staten 
Island,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  plants,  kindly  sent  me 
several  years  ago.  It  has  been  suggested  that  the  Cuth- 
bert is  a  chance  seedling  of  the  Hudson  River  Antwerp  ; 
I  can  see  no  evidence  of  any  such  parentage,  but  believe 
it  to  be  a  true  and  pure  Rubus  strigosus. 

Kirtland* — Medium  ;  nearly  round ;  light  bright-crim- 
son ;  separates  freely  from  the  receptacle  ;  moderately 
firm,  sweet,  of  the  same  flavor  as  the  wild  Red ;  canes 
very  erect,  nearly  smooth,  pale  red  at  maturity ;  produces 
a  large  number  of  suckers,  quite  productive,  and  the 
earliest  of  the:  class.  The  canes  are  also  quite  hardy.  One 
of  the  best  of  the  native  varieties.  Originated  with  Prof. 
J.  P.  Kirtland,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


RASPBERRY.  163 

CLASS  4. — FOREIGN  VARIETIES  AND  THEIR  SEEDLINGS. 

The  greater  part  of  the  following  kinds  belong  to  the 
foreign  species  (Rubus  Idceus),  but  many  of  them  origi- 
nated in  this  country  from  seed  of  the  foreign  varieties. 

The  fact  of  their  being  produced  here  does  not  make 
them  any  the  less  or  more  valuable  than  those  imported, 
although  it  will  be  conceded  by  most  of  our  fruit  groweis 
that  some  of  the  varieties  raised  in  this  country  are  equal, 
if  not  far  superior,  to  any  that  have  been  obtained  from 
abroad.  As  a  class,  the  varieties  of  the  R.  Idc&us  are 
larger  and  better  flavored  than  those  of  our  native  spe- 
cies, R.  strigosus,  but  there  are  very  few  of  them  that 
are  hardy  in  the  Northern  States,  and  their  leaves  burn 
more  or  less  at  the  South. 

Antwerp  Red,  ( True  Red  Antwerp,  Old  Red  Antwerp, 
Knevetfs  Antwerp,  Rowland's  Antwerp,  Burley's  Ant- 
werp, English  Antwerp.) — Fruit  large,  nearly  globular, 
dark  red,  with  bloom ;  grains  large ;  juicy,  sprightly 
flavor ;  canes  strong  and  tall ;  spines  light  red  and  nu- 
merous. An  old  variety  seldom  cultivated  at  the  present 
time,  as  it  has  been  superseded  by  the  following  : 

Antwerp.  (Hudson  River,  New  Red  Antwerp.) — 
Large,  nearly  conical,  firm,  of  a  pleasant,  sweet,  but 
sprightly  flavor;  canes  short,  stocky  growth,  with  few 
spines ;  the  bark  on  the  mature  canes  is  of  a  peculiar 
grayish  color;  very  productive,  but  requires  winter  pro- 
tection. This  is  the  great  market  berry  which  is  so  ex- 
tensively cultivated  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  Origin  unknown,  but  supposed  to  have 
been  procured  in  England,  and  brought  to  this  country 
fifty  years  ago  by  Mr.  Briggs,  of  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

Antwerp  Yellow.  ( White  Antwerp,  Double  Bearing 
Yellow. — Large,  conical,  pale  yellow,  sweet,  but  not  high 
flavored ;  canes  strong  and  vigorous,  light  yellow ;  the 


164 


SMALL  FKUIT  CULTT7EIST. 


leaves  are  pale  green;  spines  long,  slender,  white,  on 
some  canes  very  numerous,  but  scarcely  any  on  others. 
Rather  more  hardy  than  the  red,  but  not  sufficiently  so 
to  omit  protecting.  Of  European  origin,  and  but  little 
cultivated,  as  it  is  not  so  productive  or  good  as  some 
others  of  a  similar  color. 

Barnett  (Lord  Exmouth,  Large  Red,  Cornwall's 
Seedlings,  Cornwall's  Prolific,  Bar  net's  Antwerp.) — 
Large,  obtuse-conical,  bright  purplish-red,  sprightly, 
pleasant  flavor;  canes  tall,  very  branching,  yellowish 
green.  An  old  English  variety  of  little  value. 

Brentford  Cane, — Small  to  medium,  obtuse-conical, 
dark  red,  inferior  flavor.  An  old  English  variety  of 
little  or  no  value.  Placed  among  the  inferior  varieties 
in  the  nurserymen's  catalogues  of  forty  years  ago. 

Belle  de  Fontenay.  (Amazon. ) — Very  large,  irregular, 
long-conical,  deep  crimson,  with  a  thin  bloom, 
separates  freely  from  the  core,  moderately  firm, 
rather  acid,  but  good ;  canes  very 
strong  and  stocky,  branching  ;  leaves 
thick,  dark  green  above  and  silvery- 
white  beneath;  spines  reddish -purple, 
short  and  stiff ;  very  hardy  and  pro- 
ductive. Produces  a  second  crop  in 
autumn ;  the  best  of  the  autumn- 
bearing  varieties.  It  produces  a 
great  number  of  suckers,  the  larger 
portion  of  which  should  be  removed 
as  soon  as  they  appear  to  insure  a 
good  crop  of  fruit.  This  has  fre- 
quently been  confounded  with  Mer- 
vielle  des  quartre  Saisons,  but  it  is  distinct.  Originated 
in  France.  Figure  72  represents  a  berry  of  this  variety 
rather  below  the  average  size  which  it  attains  under  or- 
dinary culture.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  engraver 


Fig.  72. — BELLE  DB 
FONTENAY. 


EASPBEEEY.  165 

has  rather  reduced  than  enlarged  the  illustration  of  spec- 
imens placed  in  his  hands. 

Brinckle's  Orange.— See  Orange. 

Burlington. — Large  ;  same  color  as  the  Red  Antwerp. 
Originated  by  the  late  Benjamin  Prosser,  of  Burlington, 
New  Jersey. 

Belle  de  Pallium, — (Fig.  73.) — Very  large;  obtuse- 
conical  ;  grains  large,  regular ;  light  bright  crimson, 

separates  freely  from 
the  core,  sub-acid,  juicy, 
very  good,  moderately 
firm;  canes  very  strong; 
spines  short,  purple,  not 
very  numerous ;  leaves 
medium,  deep  green ; 
lobes  broadly  ovate ; 
Fig.  73.-BELLE  BE  PALLUAu.  statures  vwj  regular 

and  sharp  pointed;  very  productive,  and  will  probably 
become  a  valuable  market  variety.  Requires  protection 
in  winter.  From  France. 

Clarke. — (Fig.  74.) — Large;  roundish-conical;  light 
crimson ;  grains  medium  ;  very  sweet,  rich,  and  high 
flavored ;  parts  freely  from  the 
core ;  moderately  firm ;  canes 
very  strong  and  stocky,  erect, 
more  or  less  branching ;  spines 
white,  the  ends  slightly  colored, 
rigid,  numerous  at  the  base  of  the 
canes,  scattering,  and  few  above ; 
leaves  very  large,  thick,  rather 
flat,  deep  green  above,  and  silvery 

white  beneath,  coarsely  and  un- 

J    -,      , .  Fig.  74.— CLARKE. 

evenly  serrate  ;  very  productive  ; 

moderately  hardy.     Raised  from  seed  by  E.  E.  Clarke, 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  in  1856. 


166  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTUKIST. 

Cretan  Red, — Small ;  conical ;  crimson  or  deep  red  ; 
sub-acid,  poor  flavor,  not  very  productive.  A  very  old 
foreign  variety.  Placed  on  the  rejected  list  by  the 
American  Pomological  Society. 

€ope. — Large  ;  obtuse-conical ;  light  crimson  ;  parts 
freely  from  the  core  ;  rather  firm,,  sweet,  and  good  ;  canes 
mod3ratoly  strong  ;  spines  purple,  short,  and  numerous  ; 
productive,  but  not  equal  to  some  other  varieties.  Origi- 
nated with  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  D.  Brinckle,  of  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  to  whom  we  are  also  indebted  for  many  valu- 
able varieties  of  the  Kaspberry. 

CoK  Wilder, — Large ;  roundish-conical ;  yellowish  white 
or  cream  color  ;  very  sweet,  juicy,  and  good,  but  rather 
soft ;  canes  strong  and  vigorous ;  spines  white ;  leaves 
dark  green,  somewhat  crimped  or  wavy.  Eaised  from  the 
Fastolff  by  Dr.  Brinckle,  and  named  in  honor  of  Marshall 
P.  Wilder,  the  distinguished  pomologist  of  Boston,  Mass. 

dishing, — Large  ;  roundish-conical ;  light  crimson  ; 
very  regular  in  form  ;  grains  small,  compact ;  separates 
f raely  from  the  core ;  juicy,  sprightly  flavor,  and  good  ; 
opines  brownish-purple,  stiff,  and  rather  numerous ; 
loaves  large  and  thin,  irregularly  and  coarsely  serrated  or 
toothed  ;  moderately  vigorous  and  productive.  Raised 
by  Dr.  Brinckle,  and  named  in  honor  of  J.  P.  Gushing, 
of  Watertown,  Mass. 

Cutbush's  Prince  of  Wales. — Large  ;  very  regular ;  ob- 
tuse-conical ;  light  crimson  ;  rather  dry,  sub-acid  flavor  ; 
c.ines  strong  and  vigorous ;  spines  purple,  long,  and 
slender,  numerous;  productive.  An  English  variety  of 
no  particular  value,  as  many  others  are  far  better. 

Double  Rearing. — An  old  variety,  which  has  been  dis- 
carded by  the  American  Pomological  Society. 

Downing* — Large ;  regular,  conical ;  grains  medium ; 
bright  crimson  ;  juicy,  sweet,  and  rich  ;  firm,  parts  freely 
from  the  core  ;  canes  strong,  erect ;  spines  very  short  and 


EASPBEKET.  167 

stout,  pale  green ;  leaves  very  large,  deep  green,  nearly 
flat  when  fully  developed  ;  quite  productive.  A  good 
market  variety.  Kequires  protection  in  winter  the  same 
as  the  Antwerp.  A  seedling  of  the  Orange,  raised  by 
Charles  Downing,  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  who  has  no  plants 
of  any  kind  for  sale. 

Dub  ring. — Large  ;  roundish-conical ;  bright  red  ;  firm, 
rich,  and  excellent  flavor.  A  strong  and  vigorous  grower, 
and  said  to  be  very  productive  and  hardy.  New  ;  not 
fully  tested.  Supposed  to  be  a  seedling  of  the  Hornet. 
Originated  on  the  grounds  of  Henry  Duhring,  Esq.,  Bel- 
mont,  near  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Emily. — Large  ;  roundish-conical ;  pale  yellow ;  spines 
white  ;  vigorous  and  productive.  One  of  Dr.  Brinckle's 
seedlings,  which  proved  unworthy  of  dissemination. 

Fastolff*. — Large  ;  obtuse,  or  roundish-conical ;  crim- 
son ;  grains  large,  soft,  sweet,  and  rich ;  one  of  the  best 
in  flavor ;  adheres  so  firmly  to  the  core  that  the  berries 
are  often  broken  in  picking ;  canes  moderately  strong  and 
rather  crooked  ;  spines  purple,  stiif,  and  quite  numerous  ; 
very  productive.  An  excellent  variety  for  home  use,  but 
too  soft  for  market.  An  old  English  variety ;  its  name 
said  to  be  from  an  old  castle  in  Great  Yarmouth,  England. 

Fillbasket.  (Northumberland  Fill- 
basket.  )  —  Large  ;  obtuse  -  conical ; 
crimson ;  grains  large,  with  thin 
bloom ;  firm,  sweet,  not  very  juicy, 
but  good  ;  canes  strong,  with  purp- 
lish spines,  which  are  quite  abund- 
ant en  the  entire  length  of  the  cane; 
leaves  large,  thick,  not  so  deep  green 
as  some  ;  the  leaflets  broadly  ovate  ; 
quite  productive.  An  English  varie- 
ty, introduced  about  ten  years  since.  Fig-  75.— FRANCONIA. 

Franconia.    (Fig.  75.)— Naomi. — Large;  obtuse-coni. 


168  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUKIST. 

cal ;  dark  purplish-red,  or  crimson ;  firm,  with  a  rich, 
sprightly  flavor ;  canes  strong,  branching ;  spines  purple, 
stout,  scattering ;  leaves  large,  deep  green,  rather  flat 
when  fully  developed.  A  valuable  market  variety.  Re- 
quires protection  in  winter. 

Preach.  ( Vice  President  Frencli. ) — Medium  to  large  ; 
obtuse-conical ;  crimson  ;  grains  large  ;  firm,  sweet,  rich, 
and  excellent ;  one  of  the  best ;  canes  very  strong,  erect ; 
spines  purple,  stout,  and  numerous ;  very  productive. 
A  valuable  variety.  Supposed  to  be  a  seedling  of  the  Fas- 
tolff.  Raised  by  Dr.  Brinckle,  and  named  in  honor  of  B. 
V.  French,  Vice  President  of  the  Mass.  Horticultural  Soc. 

Fulton. — A  large,  crimson  variety,  raised  by  Dr.  Brinc- 
kle. Probably  lost,  as  nothing  has  been  heard  of  it  lately. 

General  Patterson. — Large ;  round ;  crimson ;  adheres 
firmly  to  the  core.  One  of  Dr.  Brinckle's  seedlings. 

Herstine's  Seedlings,— The  late  D.  W.  Herstine,  of 
Philadelphia,  raised  a  large  number  of  seedling  Rasp- 
berries, and  as  some  of  them  gave  promise  of  excellence, 
he  invited  several  prominent  horticulturists  of  New  York, 
New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  to  visit  his  grounds  and 
examine  the  plants  while  in  bearing  and  full  of  fruit. 
The  invited  gentlemen  responded  to  the  request  of  Mr. 
Herstine,  and  visited  his  grounds  on  July  6th,  1870. 
Mr.  Herstine  had  not  performed  any  of  the  usual  opera- 
tions of  crossing  or  hybridizing,  in  order  to  produce  these 
varieties,  but  merely  gathered  seeds  from  what  was  said 
to  be  the  Allen,  growing  near  the  Philadelphia,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  foreign  varieties.  He  thought  that  his  seed- 
lings were  a  cross  between  the  Allen  and  Philadelphia, 
but,  as  time  has  shown,  this  was  doubtless  an  error,  at 
least  so  far  as  relates  to  the  parentage  of  the  varieties 
selected  and  sent  out  as  "Herstine's  Seedlings."  The 
four  varieties  selected  and  described  at  the  date  named, 
are  here  given,  instead  of  distributing  them  in  alphabet!- 


RASPBERRY.  1G9 

cal  order.  I  will  add  that  there  is  an  unnamed  seedling 
of  Mr.  Herstine's  in  cultivation  in  several  gardens  in 
Bergen  Co.,  which  has  the  appearance  of  being  a  cross 
between  the  Allen  and  the  Philadelphia.  I  received  a  few 
plants  of  it  from  Mr.  Herstine,  in  18753,  labelled  "Hers- 
tine's 0.,"  and  the  plants  have  been  distributed  among 
my  neighbors,  some  of  whom  prize  it  highly  as  a  market 
variety.  Canes  are  red,  quite  distinct.  Fruit  of  good 
size,  and  of  a  bright  crimson  color. 

Herstmc. — Plant  vigorous ;  an  early  and  abundant 
bearer ;  canes  strong,  of  a  light  color,  covered  with  a 
whitish  bloom  ;  spines  green,  but  not  abundant ;  foliage 
abundant,  of  a  light  green  color ;  fruit  large ;  conical, 
with  small  grains,  and  of  a  crimson  color ;  flavor  sub- 
acid,  but  good.  This  is  the  best  of  the  four  sorts  dis- 
seminated by  Mr.  Herstine. 

Elizabeth. — A  strong  grower,  and  productive  in  favor- 
able soils  and  localities ;  canes  green,  with  some  purple 
shadings  ;  spines  small,  but  very  numerous  ;  leaves  light 
green,  and  quite  large  ;  fruit  very  large,  nearly  globular, 
and  of  a  bright  crimson  color ;  grains  large ;  flavor  ex- 
cellent. 

Ruby. — A  free  grower;  canes  moderately  vigorous; 
spines  few,  and  small ;  leaves  large,  light  green,  whitish 
underneath  ;  fruit  of  good  size ;  nearly  round ;  dark 
crimson  ;  grains  large  ;  quality  good. 

Saundcrs. — Moderately  vigorous  and  productive,  pro- 
ducing a  large  number  of  suckers ;  canes  green,  with  a 
shade  of  purple  ;  spines  abundant ;  leaves  large,  and  of 
good  substance  ;  light  green  ;  fruit  large ;  globular ;  of  a 
crimson  color  ;  quality  excellent. 

Much  was  expected  of  the  Herstine  Raspberries,  when 
first  disseminated,  but  they  seem  to  have  failed  in  most 
localities.,     The  first.,  or  Herstine,  is  now  considered  tho 
best  of  the  four. 
8 


170  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

Hornet, — Very  large ;  conical ;  deep  crimson  ;  grains 
Variable  in  size,  juicy,  sub-acid,  good ;  moderately  firm  ; 

canes  very  strong,  erect ;  spines 
short,  purplish ;  fruit  stems 
very  long ;  productive,  and 
promises  to  be  a  good  market 
variety.  Originated  in  France, 
with  M.  Souchet,  of  Bagnolet, 
near  Paris. 

Hunts!!! ail's  Giant, — In  size, 
shape,  and  quality,  very  similar 

to  the  Franconia,  but  the  canes 
Fig.  76.— HORNET. 

grow  much  taller,   and  when 

fully  mature  have  a  peculiar  grayish-white  bark.  A 
seedling  of  the  Franconia,  very  productive,  and  continues 
a  long  time  in  fruit.  Raised  by  Prof.  T.  W.  Huntsman, 
Flushing,  N.  Y. 

Imperial. — This  is  another  French  variety  resembling 
the  Hornet. 

Jouet. — Medium  to  large  ;  light  pale  yellow ;  canes 
feeble ;  spines  very  numerous ;  nearly  white.  Not  worth 
cultivating,  as  we  have  several  others  of  the  same  color 
which  are  far  superior  to  it  in  every  respect. 

Knevet's  Giant, — Large,  or  very  large ;  globular ;  light 
crimson ;  adheres  rather  firmly  to  the  core  ;  juicy  and 
good  ;  canes  very  strong  ;  spines  short,  purplish,  very  few, 
and  scattering  ;  very  productive.  An  English  variety  of 
considerable  merit. 

Large  Fruited  Monthly.  (Rivers'  New  Monthly.) — 
Medium  to  large ;  roundish-conical ;  crimson  ;  soft,  sweet, 
and  juicy,  good  ;  canes  strong  ;  spines  red,  stout.  Some- 
times it  produces  a  very  fair  crop,  but  not  equal  to  Belle 
de  Fontenay  for  a  late  one.  Raised  by  Thomas  Rivers, 
Sawbridge worth,  England. 

Magnum  Bonum,— Very  similar,  if  not  the  same  as  the 


RASPBERRY.  171 

Yellow  Antwerp.  Introduced  from  England  many  years 
ago. 

Mervcille  de  Quatre  Saisons.  (Marvel  of  the  Four 
Seasons. ) — Medium  to  large  ;  obtuse-conical ;  crimson  ; 
soft,  sweet,  and  good  ;  canes  erect,  rather  slender ;  spines 
purple,  short,  and  quite  numerous  ;  leaves  flat,  pale  green 
underneath,  and  not  so  dark  green  above  as  the  Belle  de 
Fontenay,  which  is  often  sold  for  this  variety.  The 
leaves  are  finely  and  evenly  serrated.  Very  hardy,  and 
produces  an  immense  number  of  suckers.  There  is  a  va- 
riety with  yellow  fruit,  but  very  unproductive. 

Mo  lit  c  lair, — Medium  to  large ;  globular ;  grains  large  ; 
dark,  and  rather  dull  red  when  fully  ripe ;  firm,  and 
somewhat  brittle  ;  sub-acid,  not  rich,  but  would  be  called 
good ;  canes  strong,  vigorous,  branching  ;  leaves  dark 
green,  and  of  good  substance  ;  productive  and  hardy. 
Originated  with  E.  &  J.  0.  Williams,  Montclair,  N.  J. 

Orange.  (Brinckle's  Orange. ) — Large ;  obtuse-conical ; 
orange  ;  sweat,  rich,  and  delicious  flavor ;  canes  strong, 
with  small,  white  spines  ;  plant  vigorous,  and  very  pro- 
ductive. This  is  one  of  the  best  varieties  in  cultivation. 
Plant  requires  protection  in  winter.  Originated  by  the 
late  Dr.  Brinckle,  in  1845. 

Pilate. — Large  ;  long-conical ;  grains  small,  compact ; 
dark  red  ;  firm,  juicy,  sub-acid,  only  passably  good  ;  canes 
not  very  vigorous ;  spines  numerous,  purplish  red ;  pro- 
ductive. A  French  variety,  highly  extolled,  but  inferior 
to  many  of  those  produced  in  this  country. 

Rivers'  Seedlings. — Mr.  Thomas  Rivers,  the  late  veteran 
pomologist  of  England,  paid  considerable  attention  to  the 
Raspberry,  and  has  produced  many  hundreds  of  seedlings. 
Some  of  them  have  reached  this  country,  but  there  ap- 
pears to  be  considerable  confusion  in  regard  to  their  iden- 
tity and  names.  The  one  known  as  Rivers'  Black  Rasp- 
berry does  not  belong  to  the  Black  Raspberry  family  of  this 
country.  It  is  a  dark  purple  fruit,  with  a  white  bloom, 


172  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

rather  soft,  of  peculiar  rich  flavor,  but  not  particularly 
valuable.  Another,  received  under  the  name  of  Rivers' 
Seedling,  is  a  large,  roundish-conical  berry,  deep  crimson, 
with  a  thin  bloom,  quite  acid  and  not  rich;  canes  very 
vigorous,  branching,  of  a  reddish  color,  spines  purple,  short, 
and  very  strong ;  produces  very  few  suckers.  Perfectly 
hardy  and  very  productive ;  will  probably  be  a  good  mar- 
ket variety.  Mr.  Rivers  exhibited  a  new  variety  at  one  of 
the  Horticultural  shows  in  England  a  few  years  since, 
which  he  claimed  to  be  a  hybrid  between  the  Raspberry 
and  Blackberry,  but  I  am  not  aware  of  its  success. 

Russell's  Red  Raspberry. — Large,  roundish-conical, 
dark  red,  moderately  firm,  juicy,  sweet  and  good;  canes 
strong,  erect ;  spines  white,  straight,  few  and  scattering. 
Supposed  to  be  hybrid  between  the  Purple  Cane  and  White 
Antwerp ;  very  hardy  and  productive  ;  propagated  by 
suckers.  Originated  in  the  garden 
of  Dr.  G.  W.  Russell,  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  named  by  the  Hartford 
Co.  Horticultural  Soc.,  in  1858. 

Soiichettii.     (White  transpar- 
ent.)— (Fig.  77.) — Largo,  conical, 
somewhat  irregular  in  form  ;  pale 
yellow,  firm  but  juicy,  sweet  and 
very    good ;     canes     vigorous ;   spines 
nearly    white    and    few;    leaves  large 
and  wavy,  thin,  light   green.       A  pro-  Fig.  TT.-SOUCHETTII. 
ductive  variety,  raised  by  Mr.  Souchet. 

Semper  Fidelis. — Large,  irregular-conical,  dull  crimson, 
rather  firm  and  dry,  sub-acid  ;  second  rate  in  quality ;  canes 
strong,  spines  purple,  short  and  stiff,  numerous;  leaves 
large,  evenly  serrated ;  very  productive.  A  new  variety 
from  England,  where  it  is  highly  extolled. 

Walker, — Large,  round,  deep  crimson,  soft,  juicy, 
sprightly  flavor,  good;  canes  strong  with  a.  few  stiff,  pur- 


RAfiPBBBBT.  173 

spines;  very  productive.      One  of  Dr.   Brinokle'a 

•eedlings. 

Yellow  Chili. — Large,  conical,  pale  yellow,  slightly 
tinged  with  orange,  very  soft,  sweet  and  juicy;  canea 
strong,  branching,  spines  long,  slender,  white.  A  French 
variety  which  I  received  about  ten  years  since.  Not  valu- 
able, and  inferior  to  several  others  of  similar  color. 

Miscellaneous  Varieties* — The  following  list  comprises 
the  new  and  old  varieties  of  which  little  is  known  at  the 
present  time.  Some  of  them  have  been  merely  announced 
in  the  nurserymen's  catalogues,  or  in  some  of  the  various 
Horticultural  Journals,  while  others  are  old  foreign  varie- 
ties that  have  been  superseded  by  better  kinds.  I  have 
added  whatever  information  I  possessed  in  regard  to  each. 
Plants  of  some  of  the  new  ones  have  been  received,  but  not 
tested,  consequently  I  cannot  give  a  description,  nor  de- 
cide upon  their  merits : 

Bromley  Hill. — An  old,  red,  English  variety,  of  fair 
quality,  but  not  productive. 

Beehive. — Large  red.      (Prince's  Catalogue,  1844.) 

Cornish. — An  old  discarded  English  variety. 

Chili  Monthly.— An  old  foreign  variety. 

Cox's  Honey, — An  old  white  variety. 

Early  Prolific. — Poor  flavor;  an  old  variety  from 
England. 

Jillards's  Seedling.— An  English  variety  of  very  good 
quality. 

Keystone, — Originated  with  A.  L.  Felton,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.  Described  as  very  large,  crimson.  An  excellent 
variety,  although  the  canes  are  tender. 

Lonff worth, — Large,  round,  deep  crimson.  One  of  Dr. 
Brinckle's  seedlings. 

Mrs.  Ingersoll. — Large,  yellow,  of  fair  quality.  Raised 
by  Dr.  Brinckle. 


174  SMALL  PBT7IT  CULTUBIST. 

Mrs.  Wilder. — A  seedling  of  the  Colonel  Wilder,  siml 
lar  in  color.  Named  by  Dr.  Brinckle. 

Mote's  Seedling,— New,  from  Ohio,  of  the  Rulnu  Oo 
eidentalis  species. 

Nottingham  Scarlet,— Rejected  by  the  American  Po 
Jiological  Society. 

New  Everbearing. — Noticed  in  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  Dec.,  1861. 

Princess  Alice, — A  new, English  variety,  raised  by  Cut- 
bush  &  Son,  Highgate,  England. 

Richardson. — Noticed  in  Gardeners'  Monthly,  1862, 
p.  339. 

St.  Lonis. — Fruit  large,  bright  red,  sweet,  and  of  the 
best  Raspberry  flavor;  plant  hardy. —  Coleman's  Rural 
World. 

Surpasse  Merveille. — Seedling  of  the  Old  Merveille  den 
Quartre  Saisons,  yellow,  same  color  and  habit,  but  said  to 
be  superior  to  its  parent ;  new.  Raised  by  Simon  Louis. 
Announced  in  the  French  Catalogues,  in  1862. 

Spring  GrOTC. — Very  prolific  but  poor  flavor.  An  old 
foreign  variety. 

Superb. — A  poor  flavored,  old,  foreign  variety. 

Snperb  d'Angleterre.— Large,  red.  Andre  Leroy's 
Catalogue,  1862. 

Taylor's  Paragon, — Poor  flavor,  old.  Discarded 
European  variety. 

Wilmot's  Early  Red.— An  old  English  variety,  of  small 
•ize,  deep  red,  and  poor  quality. 

Woodward's  Red  Globe,— Small,  red,  poor  flavor;  old. 
Cultivated  in  England  about  forty  years  ago. 

Woodward. — Small,  round,  crimson;  veryeaily;  spines 
red.  One  of  Dr.  Brinckle's  seedlings. 

SELECTION  OF  FOREIGN  VARIETIES.— For  family  use, 
where  they  will  succeed,  I  would  select  the  following 
varieties  :  Brinckle's  Orange,  Clarke,  Franconia,  FastoLff, 
and  French. 


RASPBERRY.  175 

NATIVE  VARIETIES. — For  a  few  hardy  native  varieties, 
likely  to  succeed  in  light  as  well  as  heavy  soils,  and  over 
a  wide  range  of  country,  I  would  name  among  the  bright 
red  sorts  :  Cuthbert  and  Turner  ;  for  a  yellow,  Caroline ; 
for  purple  or  dark  red,  Eeliance  and  Philadelphia ;  and 
for  black,  Doolittle  and  Gregg. 

FOR  MARKET. — Hudson  Eiver  Antwerp,  Franconia,  for 
particular  locations;  and  where  these  do  not  succeed, 
Cuthbert.  Turner,  Wilmington,  and  almost  any  of  the 
score  of  Black-caps  in  cultivation.  The  Davison's  Thorn- 
less,  and  Doolittle,  are  the  earliest,  and  McCormick  and 
Gregg  the  latest  and  largest. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


BLACKBERRY. 

RUBUS.— BRAMBLE. 

The  Blackberry  belongs  to  the  same  family  and  genus 
«B  the  Raspberry.  The  fruit  in  this  case  is  a  collective 
maps  of  drupes  attached  to  the  juicy  receptacle — not 
eepp  rating  as  in  the  Raspberry,  but  falling  off  whole.  In 
form,  the  berries  are  mostly  ovate  or  oblong,  brown  or 
blackish,  occasionally  yellowish- white. 

There  are  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  species  of  the 
Blackberry  known  to  botanists,  and,  like  the  Raspberry, 
they  are  distributed  over  a  greater  portion  of  the  world. 

Few  of  the  species  possess  any  particular  merit  worthy 
of  the  attention  of  fruit  growers  of  the  present  time,  con- 
sequently I  shall  confine  myself  mainly  to  the  indigenous 
species  and  their  varieties.  The  following  six  species  are 
natives  of  the  United  States : 

Rubus  villosus, — Common  High  Blackberry. — Stems 
shrubby,  two  to  eight  feet  high,  furrowed,  upright  or  re- 
clining, armed  with  stout  curved  prickles ;  lower  surface 
of  the  leaves  hairy  and  glandular ;  leaflets  three  or  pe- 
dately  five,  ovate, pointed,  unequally  serrate;  plant  van* 
176 


BLACKBERRY.  7177 

able  in   size  and  in  its  general  appearance.     Figure  78 
shows  a  section  of  the  stem  of  the  well  known  New  Ro- 

chelle  Blackberry,  which  is  a  variety  of 

this   species. 

R.  CanadensiS.  —  Low  Blackberry, 
Dewberry.  —  Shrubby,  trailing  slightly, 
prickly ;  leaflets  three  or  pedately  five  to 
seven,  oval  or  ovate-lanceolate,  mostly 
pointed,  thin,  nearly  smooth ;  flowers  in 
racemes  with  leaf-like  bracts ;  fruit  mostly 
round,  with  large  grains,  sweet  and 
pleasant  flavor,  ripens  earlier  than  R.  Vilr 
losus.  Very  common  in  dry  sandy  soils, 

R.  hispidllS* — Running  Swamp  Black- 
berry.— Stems  slender,  shrubby,  mostly 
trailing,  with  numerous,  small,  reflexed 
prickles ;  leaflets  three,  rarely  five,  smooth, 
obovate,  coarsely  serrate,  entire  toward 
the  base ;  flower  small,  borne  on  a  leafless 
peduncle;  fruit  purple  or  shining  black, 
grains  large  and  few;  generally  very 
acid.  Common  in  the  Northern  States, 
lg'  '  in  low,  damp  woods. 

R,  cuneifolius. — Sand   Blackberry. — One  to  three  feet 

high,  shrubby,  upright,  armed  with  stout,  recurved  prickles; 

branchlets  and  lower  surface  of  the  leaf,  whitish,  woolly ; 

leaflets  three  to  five,  wedge-obovate,  thickish,  serrate  above  ; 

peduncles  two  to  four  flowered ;  petals  large ;  fruit  medium 

size,  of  good  flavor,  black,  ripens  late.     Common  in. New 

Jersey  and  southward,  in  sandy  soils. 

R.  trivial  is, — Low  Bush  Blackberry. — Stems  shrubby, 
trailing,  bristly  and  prickly ;  leaves  evergreen,  coriaceous, 
nearly  glabrous;  leaflets  three  or  pedately  five,  ovate- 
oblong,  or  lanceolate,  sharply  serrate,  peduncles  one  to 
three  flowered.  Sandy  soils,  from  Virginia  southward. 
8 


178  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTTTKIST. 

R.  spectablis, — Flowers  solitary,  of  a  beautiful  purple 
color ;  stems  without  prickles.  Native  of  northwest 
coast  of  America,  on  the  banks  of  the  Columbia  River. 

R.  fruticoSKS. — Stems  straggling,  arched,  angular  and 
rather  tomentose;  prickles  recurved,  fruit  dark  purple 


Fig.  79.— EUROPEAN  BLACKBERRY. 

with  a  peculiar  mawkish  flavor.  Common  European  Black- 
jberry  or  Bramble. 

There  are  several  species  of  the  Blackberry  found  in 
South  America,  West  Indies,  and  Mexico,  but  we  have  no 
cultivated  varieties  of  them,  neither  ^do  they  possess  any 
qualities  superior  to  those  found  in  the  United  States. 

Very  little  attention  is  paid  to  the  cultivation  of  this 


BLACKBERRY.  '179 

fruit  except  in  this  country,  consequently  we  have  no  su- 
perior foreign  varieties,  nor  can  we  find  any  practical  in- 
formation in  regard  to  their  cultivation,  in  any  European 
work  on  gardening.  The  Blackberry  has  no  separate  his- 
tory from  that  of  the  Raspberry,  as  they  are  both  called 
Brambles  in  the  old  works ;  and  it  is  evident  that  it  has 
never  been  considered  worthy  of  any  special  care  in  any 
country  except  our  own. 

Cultivation,  Propagation,  &c,— The  same  method  of 
cultivation  recommended  for  the  Raspberry  is  also  appli- 
cable to  the  Blackberry.  In  selecting  a  soil,  a  rather  dry 
one  is  preferable  to  one  that  is  very  moist  or  wet ;  neither 
should  the  soil  be  as  rich  as  for  the  Raspberry,  because 
the  varieties  generally  cultivated  are  large,  coarse  growing 
plants,  and  if  the  soil  is  too  rich  the  canes  will  grow  very 
/arge  and  succulent,  and  will  neither  be  so  hardy  nor  pro- 
ductive as  those  of  a  moderate  growth.  It  is  also  a  good 
plan  to  pinch  off  the  terminal  shoots  the  last  of  August  or 
first  of  September,  to  check  the  growth,  and  cause  the 
canes  to  more  fully  ripen  than  if  allowed  to  grow  undis- 
turbed. The  plants  should  also  be  given  more  room  than 
the  Raspberry,  as  they  usually  grow  more  branching  and 
make  larger  stools.  The  rows  should  be  at  least  six  feet 
apart,  and  eight  would  be  still  better  for  the  larger  grow- 
ing kinds.  Staking  the  plants  may  be  dispensed  with  if 
they  are  severely  pruned  so  as  to  enable  them  to  sustain 
the  fruit.  Many  cultivators,  however,  always  stake  and 
tie  up  their  plants,  or  build  cheap  trellises  with  posts  and 
wire  to  which  the  canes  are  fastened  in  the  spring  at  the 
time  of  pruning.  It  would  be  better  to  take  out  the  old 
bearing  canes  soon  after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  but  this 
would  make  it  necessary  to  go  over  the  plants  twice,  while 
if  the  old  canes  can  be  cut  out  and  the  young  ones  pruned 
at  the  same  time,  considerable  labor  is  saved.  One  annual 
pruning  is  the  usual  method,  choosing  the  early  spring  for 
performing  this  operation.  For  taking  out  the  old  canes  * 


180 


SMALL   FRITH1   CTTLTTJRIST. 


pair  of  shears  with  long  handles  (Fig.  80)  is  used,  cutting 
them   as   near    to    the  ground    as 
possible.     A  simple  and  equally  e£ 
cient  pruning   implement   is  made 
by  attaching  a  hooked  knife  to  a 
handle    of    convenient    length,   as 
shown  in  fig.  81.     The  manner  of 
using  it  is  sufficiently  ob- 
vious.    The  young  canes 
should  be  headed  back  to 
four  or  five  feet,  and  the 
lateral  brandies  to  a  foot 
or  eighteen  inches.    If  too 
many  suckers  have  grown, 
so  that  they  are  likely  to 
crowd,  then  remove  a  por- 
tion of  them,  as  directed 
for  the  Raspberry.  All  va- 
rieties of  the  Blackberry 
produce  suckers  very  free- 
ly, and,  unless    they  are        1§' 
wanted,    all    should   be   destroyed 
as  soon  as  they  appear,  except  those 
reserved  for  next  season's  crop. 
The   Blackberry  may   be  propagated   as  directed   for 

the  Raspberry,  cuttings  of  the  roots  usually  making   the 

best  plants. 

VARIETIES. 

Cut-Leaved. — Fruit  roundish,  black,  grains  large,  sweet, 
with  a  slightly  musky  flavor ;  borne  in  loose  panicles, 
stems  nearly  round,  more  or  less  trailing,  fertile  ones 
erect ;  prickles  small  at  the  base,  but  recurved  and  strong 
above,  very  numerous ;  leaves  dissected  and  sharply  serrate, 
as  shown  in  figure  82 ;  flowers  white  or  rose  color.  A 


BLACKBERRY.  181 

variety  of  the  European  Blackberry,  It.  fruticosus,  and 
is  found  in  the  Catalogues  as  It.  laciniatus,  and  also  as 
the  Parsley-leaved  Blackberry.  It  has  been  sparingly 


Fig.  82. — CUT-LEAVED  BLACKBERRY. 

cultivated  in  Europe  for  many  years,  also  in  this  country 
for  twenty  years  or  more.  It  is  scarcely  worth  growing, 
except  as  a  curiosity. 


182 


SMALL   FRUIT   CtTLTUEIST. 


Cumberland. — Medium   size,   black,   sweet    and    good, 
quite  early,  and  matures  the  whole  crop  in  a  comparatively 


Fig.  83.— LEAF   OF  DORCHESTER. 

short  time;  plant  quite  hardy  and  productive.  This 
variety  is  largely  cultivated  by  J.  Cox,  of  Bridgeton,  N.  J? 
and  but  little  known  elsewhere. 


BLACKBERRY.  183 

CtpC  May. — Very  larg*,  sweet,  but  quite  soft,  black 
when  first  ripe,  but  soon  changes  to  a  dull  red.  A  very 
good  variety  for  home  use,  but  too  tender  for  market. 

Dorchester* — Fruit  large,  oblong,  oval,  slightly  pointed, 
black,  sweet,  rich  and  excellent,  with  considerable  of  the 
wild  Blackberry  flavor ;  leaves  broad,  oval,  with  a  sharp 
point,  as  shown  in  figure  83 ;  ripens  early,  and  the  berries 
quite  firm.  An  excellent  market  variety.  The  canes  are 
very  vigorous,  and  usually  quite  hardy.  Not  so  produc- 
tive as  some,  but  sufficiently  so  to  make  it  worthy  of  ex- 
tensive cultivation.  Introduced  to  public  notice  by  the 
late  Josiah  Lovett,  of  Beverly,  Mass.,  in  1850 ;  he  having 
procured  the  plants  of  a  gentleman  in  Dorchester,  Mass., 
about  1842. 

Felt  on, — Very  large,  long,  slightly  conical,  sweet  and 
good;  the  berries  often  very  defective;  ripens  early 
rather  of  a  spreading  growth,  and  not  so  upright  and  com 
pact  as  some.  This  was  at  one  time  supposed  to  be  the 
same  as  the  Wilson's  Early,  but  it  has  lately  been  decided 
by  several  gentleman  of  Southern  New  Jersey,  who  are 
familiar  with  both  varieties,  that  it  is  distinct,  and  not 
equal  to  the  Wilson's  Early  in  productiveness.  Intro- 
duced a  few  years  since  by  Oscar  F.  Felton,  of  Camden, 
New  Jersey. 

Ilolcorab, — Large,  roundish-oval,  black,  sweet,  rich  and 
excellent ;  plant  strong,  vigorous  and  productive,  similar  to 
the  Dorchester  in  size  and  productiveness,  commencing 
lo  ripen  about  the  same  time,  and  continues  in  fruit  for 
several  weeks.  Introduced  to  public  notice  by  E.  A.  Hoi- 
comb,  of  Granby,  Conn.,  in  1855. 

Kittatinny, — Large  to  very  large,  slightly  conical,  deep 
shining  black,  moderately  firm,  sweet,  rich  and  excellent ; 
figure  84  is  a  fair  representation  of  a  well  grown  cluster ; 
leaves  ovate,  with  rather  a  long  point,  as  shown  in  figure 


X84 


SMALL   FEUIT   CULTUKIST. 


Fig.  84.-KITTATINNT. 


BLACKBERRY.  185 

85,  finely  and  unevenly  serrate ;  plant  a  strong  and  vigor- 
ous grower,  and  very  productive.    The  fruit  begins  to  ripen 


a  few  days  earlier  than  the  New  Rochelle,  and  continues 
for  four  or  five  weeks.     This  is  an  old  variety,  although 
8* 


186  SMALL   FRUIT   CTTLTJKIST. 

new  to  the  public,  as  it  was  not  extensively  disseminated 
until  last  year,  but,  so  far  as  known,  it  is  very  hardy,  and 
promises  to  be  one  of  the  very  best  varieties  known. 
Found,  about  twenty  years  ago,  by  a  Mr.  Wolverton, 
growing  wild  in  the  woods  near  the  Kittatinny  Moun- 
tains, in  Warren  County,  New  Jersey. 

New  Roc  hello,  (Seacor's  Mammoth,  Lawton.) — Very 
large,  irregular,  roundish-oval,  black,  very  juicy,  and  mod- 
erately sweet  when  fully  ripe,  but  it  does  not  reach  this 
point  until  several  days  after  the  fruit  has  become  black, 
at  which  time  it  is  very  soft.  A  strong  and  vigorous 
grower,  and  very  productive.  The  fruit  commences  ripen- 
ing rather  late,  and  continues  for  a  long  time, 
and  unless  the  soil  is  naturally  moist,  or  the 
ground  covered  with  a  mulch,  many  of  the 
late  berries  will  fail  to  come  to  maturity. 
The  canes  are  also  rather  tender,  often  win- 
ter-killing, even  in  the  vicinity  where  it  origi- 
nated. The  New  Rochelle  Blackberry  has 
probably  done  more  to  make  this  class  of 
fruits  popular  than  any  other  variety,  but  some 
of  the  kinds  lately  introduced  are  likely  to 
supersede  it.  Found  by  Lewis  A.  Seacor  in 
the  town  of  New  Rochelle,  Westchester 
County,  N.  Y. 

Newman's  Thornless, — Medium,  roundish- 
oval,  black,  rather  acid,  but  good  when  fully 
ripe ;    canes   slender,  nearly  round,  growing 
only  three  or  four  feet  high ;   spines  small, 
short,  as  shown  in  figure  86 ;    some  of  the 
canes  almost  smooth.     It  is  usually  very  un- 
productive, but  occasionally  it  will  produce 
Fig.  86.        quite  a  jarge  crop     Discovered  growing  wild, 
and  introduced  by  Jonas  Newman,  Ulster  County,  New 
York. 


BLACKBEBKT.  187 

Agawam. — A  new  variety,  of  which  little  is  known. 
Larger  than  the  Snyder,  and  Ancient  Briton,  but  the 
plants  are  not  so  hardy. 

Ancient  Briton. — A  very  small  wild  berry  from  Wis- 
consin. Sweet,  juicy,  and  of  excellent  quality,  and  the 
plants  are  very  productive.  Valuable  only  where  larger 
and  better  sorts  will  not  thrive. 

Barnard. — A  new  variety,  found  in  Iowa.  Recom- 
mended on  account  of  the  hardiness  of  the  plants. 

Dodge's  Thornless,— From  N.  E.  Dodge,  Fredonia,  N. 
Y.  This  was  tried  and  found  wanting  some  ten  years 
ago.  Plants  feeble,  and  nearly  destitute  of  both  thorns 
and  fruit. 

Early  Burnton. — Very  small ;  sweet ;  scarcely  worth 
cultivating. 

Hoosac  Thornless. — This  is  another  wild  sort,  picked 
up  in  the  woods  of  New  England.  Not  worth  describing 
or  cultivating. 

Knox. — New,  and  scarcely  known  among  fruit  growers, 
except  a  small  number  in  Central  New  York. 

Missouri  Mammoth. — This  is  a  wild  variety,  or,  I  might 
with  truth  say,  several  varieties,  dug  up  from  the  fields 
and  woods  of  Missouri,  and  disseminated  by  one  who  had 
good  reasons  for  changing  his  name  occasionally  to  avoid 
unpleasant  exposures.  It  cost  me  one  hundred  dollars 
to  get  my  first  box  of  plants  of  these  sorts,  and  to  learn 
that  I  had  been  cheated.  If  there  is  any  true  or  genuine 
Missouri  Mammoth  Blackberry  in  cultivation,  it  is  un- 
known to  me. 

Sable  Queen. — Fruit  large;  oblong;  glossy  black; 
grains  quite  large  ;  firm,  sweet,  and  excellent ;  canes  very 
vigorous  ;  harHy,  and  usually  quite  productive.  Found 
growing  wild  about  thirty  years  ago,  in  Essex  Co.,  Mass., 


188  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTTTRIST. 

and  introduced  to  the  public  notice  by  J.  W.  Manning, 
Reading,  Mass. 

Snyder, — A  small  variety,  found  growing  wild  near  La 
Porte,  Ind.,  thirty  years  ago,  but  it  attracted  no  attention 
until  quite  recently,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the 
plants  were  exceedingly  hardy.  If  the  plants  are  given 
good  cultivation,  and  close  pruned,  the  fruit  may  be  in- 
creased in  size  to  a  point  where  it  would  probably  rank 
in  the  medium  class,  but  with  ordinary  care,  it  is  too 
small  to  command  much  attention.  It  ripen*  early,  and 
is  of  good  quality,  and  is  valuable  in  localities  where  the 
larger  sorts  are  tender.  One  of  the  most  popul?r  varieties 
in  the  West  on  account  of  its  hardiness. 

Taylor's  Prolific • — A  new  Western  variety,  of  medium 
size  and  good  flavor.  Kecommended  mainly  on  account 
of  the  hardiness  of  the  canes,  which  are  said  to  vithstand 
a  temperature  of  thirty  degrees  below  zero  without  injury. 

Wachusett  Thornless. — This  has  been  much  praised  on 
account  of  the  scarcity  of  thorns  on  its  canes.  Fruit 
medium  size  and  of  fair  quality,  while  the  plants  are 
vigorous  and  hardy,  but  not  very  prolific.  Found  grow- 
ing wild  in  the  Monadnock  Mountains,  in  1864,  and  in- 
troduced to  public  notice  by  R.  R.  Fletcher,  Groton  JnnC' 
tion,  Mass. 

Western  Triumph. — A  very  large,  irregular-shaped 
berry  ;  very  soft,  juicy,  and  sweet ;  plants  wonderfully 
vigorous,  productive,  and  hardy.  Owing  to  the  softness 
of  the  berry,  it  has  not  attracted  much  attention  from 
those  who  raise  fruit  for  market,  although  it  is  a  valuable 
one  for  the  amateur  cultivator.  A  chance  seedling,  found 
upon  the  open  prairie  in  Lake  Co.,  111.,  in  1858,  by  Mr. 
Biddle,  of  Waukegan. 

Need  ha  ill's  White, — A  variety  sent  out  several  years 
since,  but  it  is  unproductive,  and  not  worth  cultivating 


BLACKBEKKY.  189 

Wilson's  Early. — Very  large ;  oblong,  oval,  slightly 
pointed  ;  black  ;  quite  firm,  sweet,  rich,  and  good  ;  canes 
strong,  roundish,  not  so  deeply  corrugated  as  the  New 
Rochelle  or  Dorchester.  It  is  probably  a  sport  of  the 
trailing  Blackberry,  or  a  cross  between  it  and  the  high- 
bush.  Although  the  plant  is  naturally  an  erect  grower, 
still,  occasionally,  a  cane  will  grow  for  several  feet  along 
the  ground,  and  the  tip  take  root,  as  is  usual  with  the 
common  creeping  Blackberry,  or  Dewberry,  as  it  is  gen- 
erally called.  The  fruit  ripens  very  early,  and  the  entire 
crop  matures  in  about  two  weeks.  This  peculiarity  in 
ripening  gives  the  grower  of  it  an  opportunity  of  sending 
the  entire  crop  to  market  before  other  varieties  are  ripe. 
Discovered  by  John  Wilson,  of  Burlington,  N.  J.,  about 
1854. 

The  following  kinds  I  have  not  fruited,  neither  have  I 
any  very  reliable  information  in  regard  to  their  merits  : 

Albion. — Found  growing  wild  at  Albion,  Edwards  Co., 
Illinois.  The  fruit  is  large,  of  a  pink  color. 

Claret. — A  new  variety,  found  by  D.  L.  Adair,  of 
Hawesville,  Ky.  Fruit  large,  of  a  glossy  claret  color. 

Col,  Wilder. — Fruit  bright  cream  color.  Eaised  by 
John  B.  Orange,  of  Albion,  Illinois,  and  named  in  honor 
of  the  veteran  pomologist,  M.  P.  Wilder,  of  Boston,  Mass. 

Crystal  White, — A  variety  from  the  West.  Fruit  yel- 
lowish-white, and  of  excellent  quality.  The  foliage  of  this 
Variety  is  very  peculiar,  inasmuch  as  the  leaflets  are  very 
narrow,  almost  oblong-lanceolate ;  plants  rather  tender. 

Dr.  Warder. — Color  a  dark  rosy-red.  Raised  from  seed 
by  Mr.  Orange,  the  originator  of  the  Col.  Wilder,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Dr.  Warder,  of  Ohio. 

PROFITS    OF   CULTURE. 

The  profits  derived  from  the  cultivation  of  the  Rasp- 
berry  and  Blackberry  are  extremely  variable.  The  first 


190  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

thing  to  be  ascertained  by  those  who  intend  planting 
these  fruits  extensively  is,  whether  there  is  a  good  mar- 
ket, and  one  that  is  not  likely  to  be  overstocked.  Then 
find  out  what  kinds  are  the  best  suited  to  the  location. 

For  instance,  if  one  is  located  in  a  section  where  the 
Eed  Antwerp  and  similar  foreign  varieties  succeed,  then 
it  would  be  safe  and  perhaps  preferable  to  plant  them  in- 
stead of  others,  because  their  fruit  always  commands  the 
highest  price  in  the  market. 

In  many  places  at  the  West,  as  well  as  at  the  East, 
these  varieties  succeed,  if  protected  in  winter,  and  two  to 
six  hundred  dollars  per  acre  is  no  uncommon  amount  to 
be  derived  for  the  fruit ;  still  there  are  many  locations 
where  no  amount  of  care  will  make  them  yield  enough  to 
pay  for  their  culture,  consequently  other  varieties  must 
be  selected,  or  Raspberry  culture  be  abandoned. 

The  Blackberry,  as  a  general  thing,  does  not  bring 
quite  so  large  a  price  in  market  as  the  Raspberry,  but  the 
yield  per  acre  is  often  greater,  so  that  the  returns  will  be 
about  equal,  although,  as  a  rule,  they  are  not  generally 
considered  as  profitable  a  fruit  as  the  Raspberry.  When- 
ever Peaches  are  plentiful,  then  late  varieties  of  the  Black- 
berry sell  at  a  very  low  price.  The  cost  of  cultivation, 
gathering,  and  marketing  these  berries,  is  usually  from 
one-fourth  to  one-third  of  the  gross  receipts  obtained  for 
the  fruit. 


CHAPTER   V. 


DWARF    CHERRY. 

NATURAL  FAMILY  ROSACES. 

PRUNUS.    SUB-GENUS,  CERASUS.— THE  CHERRY. 

The  Cherries,  as  a  class,  do  not  come  within  the  pro> 
posed  scope  of  this  work.  But  there  is  at  least  one  native 
species  that  is  worthy  of  being  placed  among  the  small 
fruits,  and  I  have  introduced  it  here  for  the  purpose  of 
calling  the  attention  of  our  horticulturists  to  it,  hoping 
that  through  their  efforts  a  new,  distinct,  and  valuable 
class  of  Cherries  will  be  originated. 

All  of  the  varieties  of  the  Cherry  commonly  cultivat- 
ed, are  of  foreign  origin,  and  the  native  species  have  so 
far  resisted  all  attempts  at  improvement;  as  a  general 
thing,  there  appears  to  be  no  affinity  between  those 
of  the  eastern  and  western  continent.  They  will  neithei 
hybridize,  nor  the  wood  unite  when  worked  one  upon  the 
other.  Thus  the  door  seems  to  be  closed  against  the  in* 
tenningling  of  the  superior  and  the  inferior,  and  progress 
only  possible  by  raising  seedlings  of  the  native  kinds 
without  foreign  aid. 

There  *re,  however,  two  indigenous  species  which  appear 
to  be  nearly  related  to  the  foreign,  at  least  sufficiently  so,  to 
191 


SMALL  FBUIT  CTTLTURIST. 

admit  of  being  hybridized  with  it,  as  the  flowers  are  very 
similar  and  the  wood  of  the  two  unites  very  readily.  One 
of  these,  Prunus  Pennsylvania ,  is  a  tall  species,  and  doei 
not  come  within  the  scope  of  this  work;  but  a  dwarf  one, 
P.pumila,  described  by  Dr.  Gray  as  follows: 

"  Smooth,  depressed  and  trailing,  six  to  eighteen  inches 
high;  leaves  obovate-lanceolate,  tapering  to  the  base 
somewhat  toothed  near  the  apex,  pale  underneath;  flow 
ers  two  to  four  together ;  fruit  ovoid,  dark  red.  Rocks  01 
sandy  banks;  Massachusetts  northward  to  Wisconsin,  and 
south  to  Virginia  along  the  mountains." 

The  above  is  merely  a  general  description  of  the  species, 
but  it  varies  considerably  in  different  locations  and  soils. 

It  is  thirty-five  years  since  I  first  became  acquainted 
with  this  species  while  examining  the  wild  fruits  of  North- 
ern Michigan,  and  by  referring  to  my  diary  of  1846,  I 
find  the  following  notes  : 

"  August  3d,  1846.  Thunder  Bay  Islands,  Lake  Huron. 
— Visited  Hat  Island,  and  found  Dwarf  Cherry,  (Cerasu* 
pumila,)  very  abundant.  The  plants  growing  on  the 
beach  in  almost  pure  sand ;  bearing  stems  depressed  with 
the  weight  of  fruit ;  wonderfully  productive. 

Fruit  one-half  inch  long,  and  three-eighths  broad ;  dark 
purple,  nearly  black,  sweet,  but  rather  insipid.  Suckera 
abundant  from  the  underground  stems  or  roots." 

At  the  time  referred  to  above,  I  supposed  this  species 
was  confined  to  the  shores  of  the  lakes,  but  have  since 
learned  that  it  is  widely  distributed  over  the  Northern 
States.  A  few  years  ago,  through  the  kindness  of  Prof, 
George  Thurber,  I  received  some  Cherry  seeds  from  Utah 
Territory,  and  from  them  raised  plants  which  appear  to  be 
of  the  same  species  as  the  one  described  by  Dr.  Gray,  as 
P.  pumila,  and  also  found  by  myself  at  Hat  Island. 
There  is,  however,  considerable  difference  in  the  growth 
of  the  plants ;  the  one  grown  from  the  seeds  obtained 
from  Tit  ah  >»«ingr  more  erect,  none  of  the  branches  trailing 


CHERRY,  193 

as  in  the  species.    This  peculiarity  of  growth  may  not  be 
different  from  the  wild  plants  found  in  some  localities. 

I  have  some  specimens  now  four  years  from  seed.  They 
are  about  three  feet  high ;  stem  stocky,  but  the  branches 
quite  slender,  cylindrical  and  smooth.  The  bark  brown  and 
shining  on  the  small  twigs,  grayish  when  old.  Fruit  ovoid 
about  a  half-inch  long,  dark  purple,  nearly  black,  sweet, 
with  little  flavor.  I  do  not  consider  this  Cherry  of  any 
particular  value  as  it  is  found  in  its  normal  condition ;  but 
if  we  could  obtain  an  improved  variety  of  a  similar  growth, 
and  as  hardy  and  productive,  it  would  certainly  be  a 
great  acquisition.  There  is  no  reason  why  this  should  not 
be  accomplis  ed,  for,  as  I  have  said,  it  is  nearly  related  to 
our  cultivated  varieties,  and  a  hybrid  can,  and  probably 
will  be,  produced  between  them. 

The  Prunus  pumila  should  be  selected  for  the  parent 
to  supply  the  seed,  and  the  pollen,  for  fertilizing  its  flow- 
ers, taken  from  the  other  species.  It  blooms  rather  later 
than  the  Bigarreau,  or  Morello  varieties,  but  can  easily  be 
hastened  by  planting  in  a  warm  situation  or  under  glass. 

To  produce  a  hybrid  between  this  Dwarf  Cherry  and 
the  larger-growing  kinds,  requires  no  greater  mechanical 
skill  than  to  cross  two  varieties  of  the  Strawberry ;  an 
operation  which  I  have  already  described.  The  stamens 
and  pistils  in  the  flowers  of  the  Cherry  are  large  and  con- 
spicuous, and  cross  fertilization  a  very  simple  operation. 

Here  is  an  opportunity  for  the  enterprising  and  skillful 
horticulturist  to  revolutionize  Cherry  culture,  and  he  who 
first  produces  a  fruit  equal  to  the  Great  Bigarreau,  or 
Early  Richmond  Cherry,  and  borne  upon  a  shrub  no  larger 
than  a  Currant  bush,  will  not  only  have  his  name  handed 
down  to  posterity,  but  will  be  very  likely  to  gather  golden 
harvests  for  his  labor. 
9 


CHAPTER    VI. 


THE    CTTEEAirr. 

NATURAL  FAMILY  GliOSSULACKA. 

RIBES. — THB  CURRANT  ASD  GOOSEBERRY. 

[French  name,  GroseUler  comrmm ;  German,  Gemdne  Johannlsbur* ;  Dufcu 
AaO**<sboom  ;  Italian,  Ribes  rosso ;  Spanish,  Gnxsdla.} 

GENERAL    CHARACTERS. 

Low,  deciduous  shrubs,  with  smooth  stems;  leavei 
variable,  more  or  less  lobed,  in  some  species  nearly  heart/ 
shaped ;  flowers  small,  greenish-yellow  in  the  commonly 
cultivated  varieties,  in  others  yellow,  crimson,  or  white. 

SPECIES. 

Ribes  prostratrum. — Fetid  Currant. — Stems  reclined 
leaves  deeply  heart-shaped,  five  to  seven-lobed,  smooth 
fruit  pale  red.  In  cold,  damp  woods  in  most  of  the  North 
ern  States. 

Ribes  floridum, — Wild  Black  Currant. — Leaves  sprink- 
led with  resinous  dots,  slightly  heart-shaped,  three  to 
five-lobed,  doubly  serrate ;  fruit  round-ovoid,  black, 
smooth,  with  a  slight  musky  flavor ;  leaves  also  scented 
Common  hi  low  grounds  throughout  the  Northern  Statei 
»nd  Canadaa, 
194 


CURRANT.  195 

R!bes  rubnim*. — Red  Currant. — Stems  straggling  or 
reclined ;  leaves  somewhat  heart-shaped,  obtusely  three 
to  five-lobed,  downy  beneath  when  young ;  racemes  from 
lateral  buds  distinct  from  the  leaf  buds,  drooping ;  calyx 
flat,  greenish  or  purplish ;  fruit  globose,  smooth,  red.  In 
cold,  damp  woods  and  bogs  from  New  England  to  Oregon. 
Native  of  Europe,  and  probably  the  same  species  as  our 
common  Red  and  White  Currants  of  the  gardens. 

Ribes  aureum. — Missouri  Currant. — Stems  very  strong, 
erect,  with  light  colored  bark;  leaves  deeply. and  irregu- 
larly lobed,  usually  more  or  less  toothed  flowers  yellow 
in  clusters  or  short  racemes ;  fruit  large,  globular,  black, 
violet  or  deep  yellow.  Native  of  our  Northwestern 
States  and  Territories. 

RibCS  sanguine um .—Red  Flowering  Currant. — Native 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  California.  Cultivated  for 
Drnament.  Fruit  more  or  less  insipid ;  not  valuable  as  an 
edible  fruit. 

Ribes  nigrum. — Black  Currant. — Leaves  three  to  five- 
lobed  ;  racemes  loose ;  flowers  greenish-white  ;  calyx  often 
of  a  rich  brownish  color  ;  berries  globular,  smooth,  black ; 
leaves  and  fruit  strongly  scented.  Native  of  Northern 
Europe,  even  to  the  sub- Alpine  regions  of  Siberia. 

Many  other  species  of  Currants  are  known,  but  as  we 
have  no  varieties  of  them  cultivated  for  their  fruit,  I  have 
not  thought  it  advisable  to  describe  them.  Those  species 
found  in  Mexico,  Chili,  Straits  of  Magellan,  and  other 
Southern  countries,  would  probably  not  be  hardy  in  the 
United  States. 

HISTORY. 

The  species  ol  the  Currant,  from  which  our  cultivated 
varieties  originated,  are  probably  native  of  Northern  Eu- 
rope, as  we  do  not  find  them  mentioned  by  any  of  the  old 
Greek  or  Romar  writers,  who  were  generally  so  partici> 
AT  to  name  every  fruit  known  in  their  day. 


196  SMALL  FBUIT  CULTUKIST. 

The  English  name  Currant,  or  Corrans,  as  they  wen 
formerly  called,  was  given  them,  because  of  their  resem- 
blance to  the  little  Zante  Grape,  which  is  called  Corintha 
in  the  English  markets,  as  it  was  formerly  almost  en- 
tirely imported  from  Corinth. 

The  Black,  Red  and  White  Currant,  although  known 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Northern  Europe  for  centuries,  at- 
tracted very  little  attention  until  within  the  past  hundred 
years. 

Turner,  in  1557,  does  not  name  them  in  his  list  of  culti- 
vated fruits.  Gerarde,  in  1597,  calls  the  Currant  a  smooth- 
stemmed  Gooseberry.  The  Black  Currant  was  formerly 
known  as  the  Squinancy  berry,  because  used  to  cure  the 
quinsie. 

The  people  of  Siberia  use  the  leaves  of  the  Black  Cur- 
rant for  making  a  drink,  the  same  as  we  use  tea.  Lou  don 
says  that  the  leaves,  when  dried,  are  an  excellent  substi- 
tute for  green  tea,  and  that  few  persons  can  detect  the 
difference.  The  Red,  White  and  Black  Currants,  one  va- 
riety of  each,  were  the  only  kinds  known  in  cultivatioi 
until  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  Since  that 
time  considerable  improvement  has  been  made,  and  nu- 
merous varieties  introduced. 

PROPAGATION. 

BY  SEEDS. — This  method  is  seldom  employed,  except 
for  the  purpose  of  producing  new  varieties.  The  fruit 
should  be  gathered  when  fully  ripe,  always  selecting  the 
largest  berries,  and  from  the  earliest  and  mildest  fla 
vored  kinds,  as  the  Currant  being  naturally  a  very  acid 
fruit,  the  aim  should  be  to  produce  sweeter  varieties. 

The  berries  may  be  dried,  and  the  seeds  preserved  in 
the  pulp  until  wanted,  or  be  crushed  «nd  the  seeds  washed 
out,  as  recommended  for  Strawberries.  They  will  grow 
more  readily  if  not  allowed  to  become  diy,  although  dry 
ing  is  not  so  injurious  to  them  as  it  is  to  many  other  seed* 


CUKBAHT.  19? 

The  following  plan  is  one  that  I  have  followed  with 
success : 

Gather  the  fruit  when  ripe  and  wash  out  the  seeds,  then 
mix  them  with  pure  sand,  and  put  in  boxes  or  pots,  and 
bury  them  in  a  shady  place,  such  as  the  north  side  of 
some  building  or  fence,  where  they  will  remain  cool  or 
frozen  until  the  ground,  in  which  they  are  to  be  sown,  is 
in  a  condition  to  receive  them.  If  they  are  placed  in  a 
situation  where  the  sun  will  reach  them,  they  are  very 
likely  to  germinate  either  during  winter  or  as  soon  as  tho 
frost  leaves  them  in  the  spring,  often  before  the  ground 
will  admit  of  their  being  planted.  If  the  seeds  are  frozen 
after  they  have  sprouted,  it  will  usually  destroy  the  germ 
and  prevent  further  growth.  With  many  persons  the 
cause  of  failure  in  growing  the  Currant  and  Gooseberry 
from  seed  is,  that  they  either  place  them  in  a  situation 
where  they  sprout  and  cannot  grow,  or  where  too  warm 
and  wet,  and  when  the  seeds  are  taken  out  to  be  sown  in 
spring  they  appear  to  be  sound,  yet  their  vitality  is  gone. 

The  seeds  of  all  the  species  of  Ribes  will  germinate  at 
a  very  low  temperature,  and  if  we  keep  them  moist,  and 
where  they  do  not  freeze,  they  are  very  liable  to  start  be- 
fore the  open  ground  is  in  a  condition  to  receive  them. 
The  seeds  may  be  sown  immediately  after  being  taken 
from  the  fruit,  but  in  sections  of  the  country  where  the 
weather  is  very  changeable,  and  the  ground  is  frequently 
frozen  and  thawed,  there  is  more  or  less  danger  of  injury 
from  causes  above  stated.  If  the  seeds  are  kept  dry  dur- 
ing winter,  they  should  be  soaked  in  warm  water  for  two 
or  three  days  before  sowing. 

Sow  in  single  or  wide  drills,  covering  the  seed  one-half 
of  an  inch  deep  with  fine  soil.  Keep  them  clear  of  weeds, 
and  if  the  weather  is  dry,  give  them  occasionally  a  good 
soaking  with  water. 

Transplant,  when  one  year  old,  into  rows  three  feet 
tpart,  and  the  plants  two  feet  apart  in  the  rows. 


198  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

PROPAGATION  BY  CUTTINGS. — Cuttings  of  the  ripe  wood 
may  be  made  at  any  time,  from  the  falling  of  the  leaf  in 
autumn  until  the  plants  commence  growth  in  spring. 
But  when  the  best  possible  results  are  desired,  they  should 
be  taken  off  as  soon  as  the  wood  is  fully  ripe. 

Select  good  strong  wood  of  the  present  season's  growth, 
and  make  the  cuttings  about  six  inches  long,  cutting  them 
off  smooth,  just  at  the  base  of  a  bud.  Figures  87  and  88 
show  two  cuttings  (much  reduced  in  size) 
as  prepared  for  planting.  Figure  81  is  a 
cutting  of  the  common  Black  Currant, 
and  figure  82  a  cutting  of  the  Cherry 
Currant.  The  first  has  much  larger  and 
more  prominent  buds  than  the  latter. 
If  all  the  buds,  except  two  or  three  of 
the  upper  ones,  are  cut  out  before  setting, 
the  plant  will  not  produce  as  many  suck- 
ers as  though  they  were  allowed  to  re- 
main. The  advisability  of  this  plan  will 
depend  entirely  upon  the  manner  in  which 
the  plants  are  to  be  grown,  whether  in 
tree  or  stool ;  if  in  the  former,  disbud,  if 
not,  plant  them  entire. 

When  the  cuttings  are  prepared,  plant 
as  directed  for  other  ripe  wood  cuttings, 
in  chapter  11.  The  cuttings  should  be 
covered  with  straw  or  some  similar  ma- 
terial, sufficient  to  keep  out  the  frost,  or, 
Fig.  87.  Fig.  88.  at  leagt^  t(>  prevent  the  grouncl  from 

frequently  freezing  and  thawing  during  winter.  Re- 
move the  covering  at  the  return  of  warm  weather,  or 
enough  of  it  to  allow  the  young  shoots  to  grow  through 
without  hindrance.  Cuttings  planted  early  in  fall  will 
usually  become  rooted  by  the  time  winter  sets  in,  and 
this  too,  without  their  buds  pushing  into  leaf.  The  next 
season  they  will  make  a  far  better  growth  than  if  their 


CUBBANT.  199 

planting  is  deferred  until  spring.  Fall  planting  of  Cur 
rant  cuttings  is  practiced  by  most  of  our  leading  nursery 
men  of  the  present  time,  especially  by  those  whose  nur 
series  are  upon  soils  or  in  sections  of  the  country  where 
the  Currant  ripens  its  wood  early  in  autumn.  The  cut- 
tings may  be  made  in  the  fall ;  if  it  is  not  convenient  to 
plant  them  then,  they  may  be  tied  in  bundles,  and  buried 
in  the  open  ground  or  cellar  until  spring-  but  as  the 
Currant  is  one  of  the  earliest  plants  to  show  its  leaves,  the 
cuttings  should  be  planted  as  early  as  possible. 

When  a  variety  is  scarce  and  valuable,  the  cuttings  may 
be  made  very  short, — two  or  three  inches  in  length  will 
answer  the  purpose,  but  they  require  a  little  more  care  in 
handling  and  planting,  as  well  as  keeping  the  ground 
moist,  until  they  become  rooted. 

Another  method  is  to  make  cuttings  of  one  bud,  with 
a  small  portion  of  wood  attached,  say  half  an  inch  abov* 
the  bud  and  the  same  below,  planting  in  pots  or  boxes  of 
sand  or  sandy  loam,  laying  the  cuttings  down  with  the 
eye  or  bud  on  the  upper  side,  covering  them  about  half  an 
inch  deep.  After  the  cuttings  have  been  placed  in  the 
soil,  the  pots  should  be  set  where  the  temperature  will 
not  be  above  fifty,  and  keep  moist  for  a  few  weeks,  until 
the  callus  is  formed.  Then  put  them  in  a  propagating 
house  or  hot-bed,  where  they  will  receive  a  steady  heat, 
but  not  above  75  or  80  degrees.  As  soon  as  well  rooted, 
pot  them  off  into  small  thumb  pots,  and  after  these  have 
become  well  filled  with  roots,  either  shift  into  larger  ones 
or  plant  into  the  open  ground,  being  careful  not  to  break 
the  ball  of  earth  which  contains  the  roots. 

The  single  bud  cuttings  will  sometimes  grow  quite 
readily  if  planted  in  the  open  ground,  provided  the  sur 
face  3f  the  soil  above  them  is  covered  with  a  mulch — saw- 
dust or  tan-bark  are  better  for  mulching  the  cutting-bed 
than  straw  or  leaves. 

The  Currant  may  also  be  grown  very  readily  from  greeb 


200  SMALL   FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

cuttings  taken  from  the  plants  as  they  grow  in  the  open 
ground.  They  should  be  taken  off  as  soon  as  the  planti 
have  made  a  growth  of  two  or  three  inches.  Slip  off  the 
young  growth  close  to  the  old  wood,  and  plant  the  same 
as  other  green  wood  cuttings  in  a  frame,  propagating 
house,  or  under  bell-glasses. 

These  green  cuttings  require  but  a  moderate  degree  of 
heat,  and  will  often  succeed  in  a  half  shady  situation  in 
the  open  ground  if  covered  with  glass.  It  is  better,  how- 
ever, with  very  rare  kinds,  to  take  up  the  plants  in  fall, 
and  put  them  in  a  pot  and  set  in  a  propagating  house ; 
then  take  off  the  young  wood,  as  soon  as  it  is  large  enough 
for  cuttings  ;  in  this  manner  every  shoot  that  appears  can 
be  made  a  strong  plant  by  spring. 

PROPAGATION  BY  SUCKERS. — This  was  formerly  a  more 
common  method  of  propagating  than  at  present,  but 
plants  produced  in  this  manner  are  not  usually  as  good  as 
those  from  cuttings.  The  suckers  that  spring  from  the 
roots  are  slipped  off  close  at  their  base,  and  then  planted 
out,  as  usual  with  other  plants. 

PROPAGATION  BY  LAYERS. — Branches,  when  bent  down 
and  covered  with  soil,  or  even  pegged  to  the  surface  and 
then  covered  with  a  mulch,  will  readily  take  root. 

The  spring  is  the  best  time  to  perform  this  operation, 
because  the  layer  will  bicome  well  rooted  by  autumn. 
Leave  the  end  of  the  branch  uncovered,  only  burying  that 
portion  on  which  it  is  desirable  to  produce  roots. 

In  the  fall,  separate  the  layer  from  the  parent  plant,  and 
heel-in  until  spring.  Cuttings  grow  so  readily,  that  the 
last  two  named  methods  of  propagation  are  but  seldom 
practiced  with  the  Currant. 

SOIL    AND    CULTIVATION. 

The  Currant  is  a  plant  that  possesses  great  vitality,  anel 
will  grow  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil  or  situation,  but  to 
bring  it  to  perfection,  and  make  its  culture  profitable,  it 


CUBEANT.  201 

requires  good  culture,  and  a  deep  rich  soil.  It  succeeds 
better  in  a  heavy  loam,  approaching  a  clay,  than  in  a  light 
sandy  soil.  But,  whatever  the  character  of  the  soil,  two 
things  are  important  for  producing  the  best  results, — a 
deep  soil  and  a  rich  one.  It  being  what  may  be  called 
a  gross  feeder,  manure  of  almost  any  kind  may  be  applied 
with  impunity,  and  in  almost  any  quantity. 

To  a  few  persons  this  may  seem  to  be  a  singular  recom- 
mendation, inasmuch  as  we  usually  see,  in  traveling 
through  the  country,  Currant  bushes  growing  in  the  fence 
corners,  or  in  rows  where  the  grass  has  taken  possession 
of  the  soil  and  formed  a  tough  sod  about  the  plants,  and 
still  they  live  and  bear  fruit.  Yet,  while  I  admit  that  the 
Currant  will  live  under  such  treatment,  and  in  quite  poor 
soils,  it  never  produces  as  large  or  as  much  fruit  as  when 
it  has  good  culture  and  a  rich  soil. 

For  field  culture  the  plants  should  be  set  in  rows  four 
or  five  feet  apart,  and  about  four  feet  in  the  row. 

Clean  cultivation  is  required  as  with  other  plants,  and 
if  the  whole  surface  of  the  soil  is  covered  with  mulch  dur- 
ing summer,  it  will  not  only  insure  the  maturing  of  the 
crop,  but  will  materially  increase  the  size  of  the  fruit. 

North  of  the  latitude  of  New  York  City,  there  is  but 
little  trouble  in  obtaining  a  full  crop  of  Currants  almost 
every  season,  but  South  of  this,  and  particularly  on  sandy 
soils,  the  dry  weather  often  begins  so  early  that  the  plants 
ripen,  and  the  leaves  fall  before  the  fruit  comes  to  maturi- 
ty. Deep  rich  soil  and  mulching  are  the  l/est  methods  for 
preventing  this. 

PRUNING    AND    TRAINING 

The  most  common  modes  of  training  are  what  is  termed 
the  bush  or  stool  form,  and  the  tree  shape.  To  grow  the 
bushes  in  the  stool  form,  it  is  only  necessary  to  set  out 
the  plants  singly,  and  allow  them  to  throw  up  suckera 
from  the  main  stem  or  roots,  whioh  all  the  varieties 
9 


2Q3  SMALL  FBUIT  CULTUBIST. 

and  species  do  quite  readily.  The  young  shoots  may  be 
shortened  or  entirely  removed,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
the  bush  a  regular  shape,  and  make  it  open  or  compact, 
as  desired. 

The  varieties  of  the  Ribes  rubrum,  to  which  species  our 
:ommon  Red  and  White  kinds  belong,  are  usually  grown 
n  this  form,  especially  when  cultivated  in  large  quantities, 
ind  for  market  purposes. 

The  fruit  is  mainly  produced  on  the  wood  two  or  more 
years  old,  and  when  a  branch  has  borne  two  or  three 
orops,  it  is  best  to  remove  it  and  allow  a  new  one  to  take 
its  plac^,  as  young  wood  generally  produces  larger  fruit 
than  that  which  is  very  old. 

About  all  the  pruning  that  is  necessary  is  to  cut  out,  oc» 
casionally,  the  old  wood,  and  shorten  the  most  vigorous 
of  the  young  growth. 

If  too  many  young  shoots  or  suckers  appear,  and  thej 
are  likely  to  become  crowded,  a  portion  of  them  should 
be  cut  out,  so  that  the  air  and  sun  may  have  free  access 
to  those  that  remain. 

All  dead  or  diseased  shoots  should  be  annually  removed, 
and  only  the  best  and  most  luxuriant  ones  preserved.  If 
the  ends  of  the  growing  shoots  are  pinched  off  during  the 
summer,  it  will  cause  them  to  become  more  stocky  and 
fully  ripe,  while  at  the  same  time  it  will  increase  the  size 
af  the  truit  which  may  be  on  the  branck  below. 

The  main  object  should  be  to  properly  develop  every 
v>rtion  of  the  plant,  and  this  cannot  be  done  if  it  becomes 
vrowded,  either  with  old  or  new  wood. 

A  half  dozen  large,  vigorous  shoots  will  give  more  and 
arger  fruit  than  double  that  number  of  weak  and  imma- 
ture ones. 

When  the  plants  are  so  be  trained  with  single  stems, 
the  system  should  be  commenced  with  the  cutting,  dis- 
budding that  portion  which  is  placed  below  ground,  and 
when  those  above  ground  push,  rub  ff  all  but  one, 


CURRANT.  203 

train  that  erect ;  the  next  season  cut  it  back  to  within  a 
foot  or  eighteen  inches  of  the  ground.  Allow  three  to 
six  shoots  to  grow  the  second  season,  and  at  equal  distances 
around  the  stem,  if  possible.  The  third  season,  shorten 
these  branches,  and  allow  six  to  twelve  shoots  to  be  pro- 
duced, and  so  on  from  year  to  year,  pruning  out  and  head- 
ing in,  keeping  the  head  open  and  the  branches  arranged 
in  a  vase  form,  or  as  near  it  as  convenient.  In  some  soils 
single  stem  plants  will  live  and  produce  abundantly  for 
eight  to  ten  years,  and  while  young,  the  fruit  will  be  larger 
than  when  grown  in  thick,  compact  bushes.  For  amateurs 
the  single  stem  system  is  a  very  convenient  and  pretty 
method,  and  if  a  plant  fails,  it  may  be  replaced  without 
any  particular  loss,  but  for  field  culture  I  prefer  the  clump 
or  bush  form,  because  it  is  less  trouble,  and  there  is  dan- 
ger of  the  plants  being  killed  by  the  Currant  Borer,  for  if 
one  of  these  gets  into  the  single  stemmed  plant  it  destroys 
it,  and  a  new  one  must  be  planted  or  trained  up  from  one 
of  the  many  suckers  which  will  usually  start  from  the 
roots  after  the  main  stem  has  been  removed. 

With  the  Black  Currant  the  case  is  somewhat  different ; 
being  naturally  a  much  stronger  grower,  the  stems  becom- 
ing quite  large  and  coarse,  they  will  live  for  many  years, 
and  there  is  but  little  danger  of  insects  injuring  them 
Neither  do  these  require  so  much  pruning  as  other  varie- 
ties; still,  enough  should  be  done  to  give  the  bush  a  regu- 
lar, open  head,  as  well  as  to  cut  out  all  small,  weak  shoots. 
The  young,  one  year  old  shoots  should  not  be  shortened  so 
severely  as  with  other  varieties,  unless  it  is  necessary  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  the  plant  some  particular  form,  be- 
cause fruit  is  produced  on  the  one  year  old  wood  as  well 
aft  upon  small  spur-like  shoots  on  the  old.  The  varieties 
of  the  Ribes  nigrum,  (European  Black  Currant,)  and  the 
Ribes  floridum^  and  R.  aureun,  form  much  larger  bushea 
than  any  of  the  other  species ;  consequently  they  should 
oe  allowed  more  room.  If  planted  in  rows,  they  should 


204  SMALL  FEUIT  CULTUEIST. 

be  five  to  six  feet  apart,  if  it  is  desirable  to  have  them 
grow  to  full  size,  although  they  are  readily  kept  within 
a  much  less  space,  but  much  fruit  will  be  lost  by  severe 
pruning.  These  coarse-growing  species  usually  produce 
better  and  larger  fruit  on  old  plants  than  on  the  young, 
provided  they  are  given  good  culture,  and  all  little,  weak 
shoots  are  annually  cut  out,  so  that  those  remaining  will 
be  fully  developed. 

The  tree  form  is  preferable  to  the  bush  or  clump  for 
all  the  varieties  of  the  species  last  named. 

INSECTS  AND   DISEASES. 

It  is  only  within  the  past  twenty  or  thirty  years  that 
insects  injurious  to  the  Currant  and  Gooseberry  have  be- 
come so  numerous  as  to  attract  much  attention.  In  1847, 
the  late  Dr.  Asa  Fitch,  in  his  Keport  as  State  Entomolo- 
gist of  New  York,  mentioned  an  insect  which  had  become 
very  destructive  to  the  Currant  in  the  central  part  of  the 
State,  and  as  it  somewhat  resembled  the  European  Cur- 
rant and  Gooseberry  moth  (Air  axis  grossulariata),  he  re- 
ferred this  American  pest  to  the  same  genus,  and  named 
it  Air  axis  ribearia.  In  figure  89,  at  the  upper  right- 
hand  side,  is  shown  the  male  moth,  and  at  the  left  the 
female,  while  on  the  leaf  above  is  shown  the  caterpillar,  as 
seen  when  feeding.  Another  of  these  caterpillars  is  seen 
suspended  from  the  edge  of  the  leaf,  as  they  appear  when 
letting  themselves  down  to  the  ground,  while  below  is  its 
pupa,  in  which  form  this  insect  passes  through  the  winter. 
Recent  investigations  by  other  entomologists  show  that 
this  insect  is  a  native  of  North  America,  and  not  of 
Europe,  as  at  one  time  supposed.  Furthermore,  Dr.  A. 
S.  Packard  considers  the  insect  to  be  sufficiently  distinct 
to  be  separated  from  Air  axis  ;  and  he  has  placed  it  in  a 
genus  to  which  he  has  given  the  name  of  Eufitchia,  in 
honor  of  its  first  discoverer,  Dr.  Fitch ;  consequently  its 
scientific  name  becomes  Eufitchia  ribearia,  instead  of 


CURRAKT. 


205 


Abraxis.  But  the  changing  of  its  name  has  no  effect 
upon  the  habit  of  this  pest,  and  it  will  probably  continue, 
as  formerly,  to  strip  the  leaves  from  our  Currants  and 
Gooseberries,  whenever  left  to  have  its  own  way.  The 
insect  usually  appears  early  in  spring,  feeding  upon  the 
leaves,  and  is  then  readily  destroyed  by  dusting  powdered 


Fig.  89.— CURRANT  WORM  (Eitfitchia  ribearia). 

White  Hellebore  over  the  plant,  while  wet  with  dew  in  the 
morning.  Tobacco  water  and  lime,  and  similar  applica- 
tions are  also  used  with  good  results,  but  the  hellebore  is 
considered  the  most  effective  and  certain. 

Imported  Currant  Worm. — This  pest  is  the  Nematus 
ventricosus,  Klug,  a  large  fly,  of  the  order  Hymenoptero, 
and  family  Tenthredinidce.  There  are  very  few  insects 


206  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUKIST. 

of  this  order  that  injure  our  garden  plants,  but  the  one 
under  consideration  is  an  exception  to  the  general  rule. 
It  first  appearance  in  this  country  was  about  1857,  and  in 
the  vicinity  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  introduced  with  imported  plants. 

The  flies  come  out  of  the  ground  early  in  spring,  and 
the  females  soon  commence  depositing  their  eggs  on  the 
underside  of  the  leaves  near  the  veins.  The  eggs  hatch 
in  about  a  week,  and  immediately  commence  feeding  upon 
the  soft  part  of  the  leaves.  At  each  moult  they  change 
color,  but  when  fully  grown  they  are  about  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  long,  and  of  a  grass-green  color,  with  minute 
black  spots  scattered  along  the  sides  and  on  the  back. 
"When  mature,  they  drop  to  the  ground  and  hide  under 
the  leaves,  enclosing  themselves  in  thin  oval  cocoons. 
In  the  course  of  five  or  six  weeks  a  second  brood  of  the 
flies  appear,  and  go  the  same  round  of  devastation  as  the 
first  one,  unless  checked  or  destroyed  by  application  of 
hellebore  or  similar  insecticides.  Hellebore  is  usually 
applied  while  the  fruit  is  green,  and  any  that  may  remain 
upon  the  fruit  is  washed  off  by  the  rain  ;  should  any  ad- 
here to  the  ripe  fruit  it  must  be  washed  off. 

The  Native  Cnrrant  Worm,— This  is  a  closely  allied  in- 
sect to  the  last,  belonging  to  the  same  order  and  family, 
but  to  another  genus.  It  is  the  Pristiphora  grossularice, 
Walsh.  Its  habits  are  also  similar  to  the  imported  worm, 
and  it  may  be  destroyed  with  similar  insecticides. 

Trochilium  tipuliforme.— European  Currant  Borer.— 
This  is  quite  common  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  we  seldom 
receive  Currant  bushes  from  Europe  that  do  not  contain 
more  or  less  of  these  pests.  It  is  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire a  description.  The  moth  is  probably  not  so  familiar, 
and  I  give  the  description  given  it  by  Dr.  Fitch,  in  the  New 
York  Agricultural  Report,  1859:  "A  small  moth,  having 
some  resemblance  to  a  wasp,  its  wings  being  clear  and 


CUBBAHT.  207 

glossy,  the  fore  pair  opaque,  yellowish  at  the  tips,  with  a 
black  margin  and  band  near  the  middle,  and  the  abdomen 
black,  with  three  yellow  bands  situated  one  upon  each 
alternate  segment ;  width  0.65  to  0.85." 

Trocliilium  caudatum. — Harris. — This  species  infests 
our  native  wild  Currant,  (JRibea  floridum^)  and  it  reeem 
bles  somewhat  the  European  species. 

To  destroy  these  borers,  the  plants  should  be  examined 
every  fall  or  during  winter,  and  every  shoot  that  has  a 
borer  in  it  will  usually  be  of  a  brown  color,  or  slightly 
wilted ;  sometimes,  when  the  shoots  are  very  vigorous,  no 
difference  can  be  observed,  but  by  close  inspection  the 
small  hole  where  the  worm  entered  can  be  found.  All 
phoots  containing  worms  should  be  cut  out,  and  the  worm 
destroyed.  In  this  way  they  may  be  checked,  if  not  en- 
tirely eradicated. 

In  making  cuttings,  the  same  care  should  be  given,  and 
every  hollow  stem  examined  for  borers,  and  if  found,  de- 
rtroyed. 

fARIETIES. 
NATIVE     SPECIES. 

American  Black. — Ribea  flvridum. — Fruit  medium, 
roundish-ovoid,  black ;  clusters  small,  tapering.  Seldom 
cultivated,  but  worthy  of  it,  if  for  no  other  purpose  than 
to  produce  new  varieties,  as  it  is  naturally  a  better  flavored 
fruit  than  the  European  Black  Currant. 

Deseret.  —  JKibes  aureum.  —  Fruit  very  large,  round, 
black  or  dark  violet,  with  a  slight  bloom,  sub-acid  and 
agreeable  flavor;  flowers  yellow;  a  strong  and  rapid 
grower,  and  very  productive  when  the  plant  attains  its 
fiill  growth.  A  variety  of  the  Missouri  Currant  (Ribe* 
vureum).  It  is  highly  valued  by  the  Mormons  at  Salt  Lake 
City,  from  whence  I  received  it  a  few  years  since.  Thii 


208  SMJLLL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

should  become  the  parent  of  a  new  and  valuable  class  of 


Fig.  90.— LEAF  OP  DESERET. 


Currants,  as  it  possesses  many  good  qualities  and  few 
defects.  Figure  90  shows  a  leaf  of  this  variety. 

Golden. — Large,  round,  deep  golden-yellow,  very  acid, 
and  slightly  bitter ;  flowers  yellow.  Of  no  value  for  its 
fruit,  but  might  be  improved.  Native  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  a  variety  of  72.  aureum. 

Missouri  Black.— Very  large,  jet  black,  hard,  dry,  and 


CUBEANT. 


209 


bitter*  of  no  value,  except  as  an  ornamental  shrub; 
flowers  yellow,  fragrant.  There  is  another  resembling 
this,  except  that  the  fruit  is  edible,  but  not  very  good. 
All  the  varieties  of  the  R.  aureum  have  deeply  lobed 


fig.   91  —LEAP  OF  RIBB8  SANGHTINBTTM. 

leaves,  while  the  H,.  sanguineum,  (Red  Flowering  Cur- 
rant,) which  is  found  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  ha? 
leaves  of  the  form  shown  in.  figure  91. 

Sweet  Fruited  Missouri, — Large,  black,  roundish-ovoid  ; 
bunches  small,  containing  few  berries ;  sweet,  musky  fla- 
vor. A  variety  of  R.  floridum,  and  not  of  the  H. 
aureum,  as  its  name  would  indicate.  It  is  a  very  slight 
improvement  upon  the  common  wild  Black  Currant, 
which  may  be  found  in  almost  any  low,  moist  woods. 
9* 


210  SMALL  FBUIT  CTTLTURIBT. 

The  Mormons  claim  to  have  several  valuabU  varieties  nt 
tive  of  the  Salt  Lake  region,  but  whether  they  will  prove 
valuable  or  worthy  of  being  extensively  cultivated  is  very 
Uncertain.  There  is  one  thing  quite  certain,  and  that  is 
that  we  have  native  species  that  possess  qualities  equal,  if 
not  superior,  to  those  found  in  any  other  country,  and 
equally  susceptible  of  improvement. 

FOREIGN     VARIETIES. 

Before  proceeding  to  describe  the  different  kinds,  I  wiU 
give  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  difficulties  that  I  have  met  in 
endeavoring  to  ascertain  which  were  distinct  varieties. 

It  is  well  known  that  plants  of  similar  kinds  often  be- 
come intermingled  through  the  carelessness  of  workmen. 
Sometimes  packages  will  become  broken  while  being 
transported  from  one  portion  of  the  country  to  another, 
and  several  kinds  become  mixed  together.  Thus  it  will 
be  seen  that  mixed  varieties  become  very  common  from 
accidental  causes. 

Twenty-five  years  ago  I  commenced  collecting  the  vari- 
ous kinds  of  Currants  with  the  express  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining their  true  merits,  and  to  determine  which  were 
really  distinct  varieties. 

To  do  this  has  cost  me  infinitely  more  labor  and 
money  than  I  shall  be  likely  to  receive  from  the  proceeds 
of  this  volume,  and  still  I  fear  that  the  results  will  be  less 
satisfactory  to  the  public  than  any  other  portion  of  the 
work. 

I  have  not  depended  upon  varieties  obtained  from  any 
one  source,  either  in  Europe  or  America,  but  have  gath- 
ered them  from  the  best  nurseries  of  France,  Prussia, 
Germany,  England,  Ireland,  and  the  United  States. 

In  the  prosecution  of  my  labors  and  researches,  I  have 
had  the  good  fortune  to  be  able  to  avail  myself  of  the  in- 
valuable experience  and  extensive  collection  of  Mr.  Chaa, 
Downing.  His  experience  extends  over  a  period  ot  morf 


CTTKEANT.  211 

jr 

than  fifty  years,  and  when,  a  few  years  since,  I  informed 
him  of  my  purpose  of  writing  this  book,  and  requested 
his  assistance  particularly  upon  the  Currant  and  Rasp- 
berry, he  cheerfully  took  hold  of  the  work,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  then  very  complete  collection,  he  sent  to  the 
different  growers  of  Europe  and  of  this  country  for  speci- 
mens of  all  the  new,  as  well  as  old  varieties.  Not  depend- 
ing upon  one  importation,  he  has  obtained  a  new  set  almost 
every  year,  and  by  keeping  them  separate,  we  have  had 
an  opportunity  of  determining  which  were  really  distinct 
varieties.  For  a  number  of  years  we  have  met,  at  the 
time  the  fruit  was  ripe,  and  gone  over  the  entire  collec- 
tion, carefully  comparing  them,  and  the  following  list  is 
the  result : 


Fig.  93.— LEAP   OF  ATTBACTOB, 

Attractor. — Large,   yellowish-white  ;    bunch  medium, 
loose.     A  slow  grower,  but  quite  productive.     Not,  equal 


SMALL   FRUIT    CULTURIST. 


to  the  White  Dutch  in  flavor.  The  leaves  are  small  and 
deeply  lobed  or  toothed,  as  shown  in  figure  92.  From 
France. 

Buist's  Long- Bunched  Red,— Large,  deep  red,  of  similar 
flavor  as  the  Red  Dutch ;  leaves  large  and  very  thick  ; 
<v  serratures     sharp  -  pointed ;      a 

strong  and  vigorous  grower,  and 
very     productive.       Originated 
with  R.  Buist,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Champagne.  (Pheasant's  Eye, 


Fig.  93.— CHERRY  CURRANT. 


Fig.  94. — CHERRY  CURRANT. 


Grossellier  a  Fruit  couleur  de  chair.) — Large,  pale  pink 
or  flesh  color,  quite  acid,  and  not  rich  flavored  ;  bunches 
medium,  loose,  slightly  tapering ;  vigorous  and  produc- 
tive. Much  admired  for  the  pretty  appearance  of  its 
fruit.  Ripens  late. 

C  he  rry .  (Imperial  Rouge,  or  He d  Imperial,  Large  Red 
Anger  s,  La  Caucase,  Fertile  d' "Angers  of  Leroy,  Irish 
Grape,  Macrocarpa,  Napoleo.i  Red.) — Very  large,  dark 


CURRANT.  ld 

red,  acid,  not  rich,  only  second  rate ;  bunch  variable,  from 
short  to  quite  long,  scarcely  tapering,  figure  87,  and  figure 
88  showing  the  variations  on  the  same  plant ;  leaves  large, 
deep  green,  bluntly  lobed,  thick  and  tough  ;  very  distinct 
from  the  Red  Dutch  and  its  varieties.  Plant  a  coarse 
grower,  the  young  shoots  being  very  strong  and  stocky 
very  productive,  but  the  old  branches  becoming  naked, 
often  produce  two  or  three  crops.  The  largest  Red  Cur- 
rant in  cultivation,  and  commands  the  highest  price  in 
market.  Some  of  the  varieties  placed  as  synonyms  of 
the  Cherry  were  probably  raised  from  seed,  but  as  I  have 
not  been  able  to  discover  wherein  they  differ,  I  think  it 
folly  to  call  them  by  different  names. 

Versailles, —Very  large;  bunch,  long,  and  slightly 
tapering ;  dark  red,  acid,  and  by  many  it  is  considered  to 
be  a  better  flavored  variety  than  the  Cherry,  but  by  others 
very  similar,  if  not  identical. 

The  principal  points  of  distinction  claimed  are,  that  the 
Versailles  is  not  so  acid  as  the  Cherry,  and  that  the  bunches 
are  more  tapering.  But  like  variations  may  be  observed  in 
other  well  known  varieties,  and  upon  plants  growing  in 
close  proximity.  At  one  time,  I  thought  that  there  was 
a  difference  in  the  growth  and  foliage  of  the  two  kinds, 
but  more  experience  has  not  confirmed  me  in  this  opinion. 

Although  I  am  not  ready  to  say  positively  that  there  is 
no  distinct  variety  to  which  the  name  of  Versailles  be- 
longs, still  I  have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  obtain  one  in 
which  really  distinct  and  permanent  variations  can  be  dis. 
covered. 

Since  writing  the  above,  thirteen  years  ago,  I  have  con- 
tinued my  investigation  in  regard  to  the  identity  of  these 
two  varieties  of  the  Currant,  without  making  any  dis« 
coveries  which  throw  light  upon  the  subject.  I  have 
noticed,  however,  that  several  European  authorities  have 
declared  the  Versailles  to  be  identical  with  the  Cherry,  a 
conclusion  which  I  arrived  at  some  fifteen  years  ago. 


214 


SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 


Dana's  White. — After  various  attempts  to  procure  a 
White  Currant  under  this  name  distinct  from  the  White 
Grape,  I  at  last  procured  a  few  plants  from  Mr.  Dana, 
but  with  no  better  success,  as  all  proved  to  be  the  same. 
Fertile  de  Palluau. — Large,  and  of  same  color  as  Red 
Dutch,  but   not  so  juicy  or  good. 
A  strong  and  vigorous  grower,  and 
very   productive.     The   leaves    re- 
semble  the   Red    Dutch,  but    are 
larger.     Figure   95. 

(ion do u in  Red,  —  Berry  and 
bunch  medium  size  ;  fruit  light  red, 
of  rather  poor  flavor ;  foliage  large, 
coarse,  light  green ;  serratures  of 
leaf  sharp,  coarsely  veined,  upper 
surface  slightly  wavy.  A  very  vig- 
orous grower,  and  may  prove  to 
be  the  Red  Provence. 

(ion  don  in  White, — I  have  been 
unable  to  obtain  a  distinct  variety 
under  this  name,  White  Grape  be- 
ing the  one  usually  received. 

Gloire  des  Sablons, — Fruit  and 
bunch  small,  white,  distinctly  strip- 
ed with  red,  acid,  poor  flavor;  of 
no  value,  except  as  a  curiosity; 
plant  a  strong,  upright  and  vigor- 
ous grower,  not  very  productive. 

Gros  Rouge  d'Angers.  (Large 
Red  Angers.) — See  Cherry. 

Holland  Long  Grape, — The  one 
received  from  L.  Leroy,  of  France,  is  the  Victoria,  and 
one  from  Andre  Leroy,  the  Red  Provence. 

Imperial  Yellow,    (Imperial  Jaune,  White  Imperial] 
— Identical  with  the  White  Grape,  with  perhaps  a  slight 


Fig.  95. — FERTILE   DE 
PALLUAU. 


CUKBANT.  215 

difference  in  the  growth  of  the  plant      It  appears  to  be  a 
more  stocky  and  upright  grower,  at  least  while  young 

Imperial  Rouge. — See  Cherry  Currant. 

Knight's  Large  Red, — Very  similar  to,  if  not  identical 
with,the  Red  Dutch. 

Knight's  Early  Red. — Same  as  the  last,  and  no  earlier. 

Knight's  Sweet  Red. — Large,  very  dark  red;  bunch 
long,  tapering;  similar  in  quality  to  the  Red  Dutch,  but 
apparently  not  quite  so  acid ;  growth  vigorous,  upright 
leaves  dark  green,  of  medium  size,  thick  and  coarsely  ser- 
rate. The  general  appearance  of  the  plant  distinct  from 
the  Red  Dutch.  Moderately  productive.  This  may  have 
been  received  under  the  wrong  name,  and  perhaps  it  is 
the  Knight's  Large  Red,  which,  Rivers  says,  is  a  valuable 
variety. 

La  Hative.  (La  Hative  de  Bertin,  La  Fertile.) — I  am 
not  certain  which  of  the  above  names  should  be  placed 
first,  although  the  varieties  received  under  each  have  all 
proved  to  be  the  same.  Evidently  nearly  related  to  the 
Cherry  Currant,  as  the  general  appearance  of  the  plant 
resembles  it  very  much,  but  of  a  less  vigorous  growth. 
Color  of  fruit  and  form  of  bunch  same  as  Cherry,  but 
only  about  two-thirds  the  size ;  ripens  a  few  days  earlier, 
and  is  not  quite  so  acid,  yet  too  much  so  to  be  called  good ; 
productive. 

Prince  Albert. — Large,  light  red,  sometimes  slightly 
Btriped  with  dark  red ;  bunch  medium,  tapering ;  rather 
acid,  firm,  of  inferior  quality,  moderately  vigorous,  up- 
right ;  leaves  small ;  lobes  long,  pointed,  sharply  serrate 
very  productive. 

Red  Dutch.  (Large  Red  Dutch,  New  Red  Dutch,  Long 
Bunched  Red,  Morgan's  Red,  G-rossellier  Rouge  a  Gross* 
Fruit.) — Large,  deep  red ;  bunches  long,  tapering,  rich, 
juicy,  good.  One  of  the  best.  A  vigorous,  erect  growef 
and  very  productive.  Well  known. 


216 


SMALL   FRUIT   CtTLTUKIST. 


Red  Grape, — Large,  dark  red;  bunch  compact,  long, 
slightly  tapering ;  foliage  medium,  not  shining,  as  witli 
Red  Dutch ;  moderately  vigorous,  and  of  a  rather  stocky 
growth. 

Red  Provence. — Small,  dark  red;  bunches  long;  very 
acid,  liable  to  rot  before  ripening, 
quite  late,  altogether  inferior;  the 
young   shoots   red.      A  very  ram- 
pant, coarse  grower. 

Striped  Fruited.  ( G-rosse  Weiss- 
und  RotTigestreifte  Jbhamiisbeere.) 
— An  old  variety,  with  fruit  same  as 
Gloire  des  Sablons,  but  the  plant 
a  short,  stocky  grower ;  the  termi- 
nal buds  on  the  young  shoots  quite 
conspicuous.  Of  no  value. 

Transparent  White.  —  Claimed 
to  be  a  seedling  of  White  Grape, 
but,  if  so,  it  has  assumed  all  the 
characteristics  of  its  parent,  and  I 
am  unable  to  see  any  difference. 

Versailles.— See  page  205. 

Victoria.  —  (May's  Victoria, 
Uoughton  Castle,  Rdby  Castle, 
Goliath,  Wilmotfs  Red  Grape,  and 
Red  Grape  of  some  nurseries.)— 
Large,  light,  bright  red ;  bunch 
(figure  96)  very  long,  often  six  or 
seven  inches,  tapering  ;  sprightly 
acid,  good  flavor ;  leaves  medium, 
rather  thin ;  lobes  long ;  serratures 
rounded,  or  with  a  short  point ; 

young  branches  rather  slender,  although  vigorous,  spread 
ing ;  very  productive.     A  valuable  variety  for  home  use. 


CURRANT. 


217 


White  Grape.  (White  Antwerp,  White  Transparent.) 
— Large,  yellowish-white,  transparent;  bunch  medium, 
slightly  tapering  (fig.  97)  ;  juicy, 
sweet,  rich;  the  best  White 
Currant;  moderately  vigorous, 
slender,  spreading  habit ;  leaves 
medium  size,  sharply  serrate, 
with  a  grayish  green  color,  not 
shining ;  very  productive. 

White  Dutch,  (  White  Clin- 
ton, New  White  Dutch,  darkens 
Sweet,  White  Crystal,  Reeves' 
White,  Morgan's  White,  White 
Leghorn,  White  Transparent, 
White  Holland,  White  Pearl.) 
— Large,  yellowish-white,  but 
quite  transparent ;  bunches  a 
little  shorter  than  the  Red  Dutch, 
and  berries  larger,  sweet,  rich 
and  good;  a  vigorous,  upright 
grower,  and  very  productive. 

White  Provence,  —  Very 
large,  yellowish- white ;  bunch 
rather  short,  tapering.  About  Fi£-  97.— WHITE  GRAPE. 
the  same  in  quality  as  the  White  Dutch,  but  not  quite 
equal  to  White  Grape.  The  most  vigorous  of  all  the 
White  varieties,  evidently  of  the  White  Dutch  class. 
Leaves  large,  thick,  more  or  less  edged  with  white,  as 
shown  in  figure  98 ;  productive,  but  not  equally  so  with 
the  White  Grape. 

BLACK      CURRANTS. 

(Mibes  nigrum.) 

Black   English,     ( Common  Black,  Bang-up    Black^ 
Cassis  a  Fruit  noir.) — Large,  black,  but  few  in  a  cluster. 


218 


SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 


Well  known,  and  but  little  cultivated  at  the  present  time, 
having  been  superseded  by  the  following : 

Black  Naples.  ( Cassis  Royal  of  Naples?) — Very  large, 
often  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  black,  sweet, 
but  of  musky  flavor ;  clusters  are  medium,  tapering,  loose  \ 


Fig.  98.— LEAF   OF   WHITE  PROVENCE. 

very  vigorous  grower,  and  productive,  when  the  plants 
have  attained  considerable  age  and  size ;  leaves,  stems  and 
fruit  have  a  rank  and  musky  scent,  which  is  very  disa- 
greeable to  many,  but  to  others  delightful. 

Black   Grape.     (Ogderfs  Black  Grape?) — Fruit  saint 


CURRANT.  219 

SLR  Black  Naples,  but  the  bush  is  more  stocky,  and  not  so 
tall  a  grower.  A  marked  difference  may  be  observed  in 
the  hight  of  the  plants  when  growing  in  adjoining  rows. 

Brown  Fruited.  (Green  Fruited,  Russian  Green.) — 
A  variety  of  the  Black  English,  with  greenish-brown 
fruit ;  berries  hard,  dry,  and  rank  flavored.  Not  worth 
.cultivating. 

Lee's  Prolific* — A  new  sort,  of  great  promise.  Berries 
large,  in  compact  clusters  ;  very  similar  in  quality  to  the 
Black  Naples,  but  the  plants  far  more  productive. 

PROFITS    OF    CULTURE,    USES,    &O. 

Currants  are  not,  as  a  general  thing,  consumed  in  as 
large  quantities  as  some  other  kinds  of  our  small  fruits. 
Still  there  is  scarcely  a  garden,  however  small,  in  city  or 
country,  in  which  a  few  Currant  bushes  are  not  cultivated. 

The  extreme  acidity  of  our  more  common  varieties  is 
probably  one  reason  why  larger  quantities  of  them  are  not 
used  in  their  natural  state.  Currant  jelly  is  one  of  the  in- 
dispensable conserves  of  which  no  good  housekeeper  neg- 
lects to  lay  by  a  store  at  the  proper  time,  but  it  has  not 
been  known  as  an  article  of  commerce  until  within  8  very 
recent  period. 

Our  markets,  as  a  general  rule,  have  been  very  well  sup- 
plied, and  often  the  price  obtained  for  Currants  has  been 
far  below  a  profitable  point.  But  of  late  years,  since  our 
great  fruit-preserving  establishments  have  been  started,  the 
demand  has  increased,  and  the  supply  is  falling  behind. 
Here  let  me  mention  a  fact  which,  I  fear,  some  of  our 
fruit  growers,  as  well  as  others,  do  not  fully  understand, 
and  it  may  also  explain  why  the  prices  of  certain  kinds  of 
fruit  appear  tc  increase  ID  exact  ratio  to  the  supply.  It 
is  thie :  When  the  proprietors  of  one  of  these  large  es- 
tablishments can  go  into  market  and  purchase  fifty  thous- 
and baskets  of  Strawberries,  Raspberries,  or  other  similar 


220  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUBIST. 

fruits,  he  can  afford  to  make  a  specialty  of  that  one  kind 
for  one,  two  or  more  days,  engaging  the  entire  apparatui 
and  force  of  his  establishment  upon  it ;  but,  if  only  a  few 
hundred  baskets  can  be  obtained  at  any  one  time,  then  it 
will  not  pay  him  to  attempt  to  preserve  any.  Thus  it 
will  be  seen  that  we  may  supply  or  glut  a  market  with  a 
few  hundred  baskets  or  pounds  of  a  particular  kind; 
when,  if  the  supply  was  thousands  of  baskets,  or  tons  in- 
stead, there  would  soon  be  a  scarcity.  Just  as  soon  as  it 
is  known  that  any  good  kind  of  fruit  can  be  had  in  abun 
dance,  there  will  be  means  found  for  disposing  of  it,  and 
usually  at  a  better  price  than  when  there  is  a  compara- 
tive scarcity.  Capital  is  usually  drawn  into  channels 
where  it  can  be  employed  continuously  as  well  as  profita- 
bly. Gail  Borden's  process  for  condensing  milk  has  been 
successfully  applied  to  the  juice  of  the  Currant,  and  a 
similar  substance  to  the  common  jelly  manufactured  with- 
out sugar,  and  at  less  than  half  the  cost.  In  the  con- 
densed form,  Currant  juice  may  be  transported  to  any  por- 
tion of  the  globe,  and  become  an  article  of  commerce. 
When  water  is  added,  it  again  becomes  a  liquid — valuable 
for  medicinal  purposes,  as  well  as  a  luxury.  Vessels  start- 
ing upon  long  voyages  would  do  well  to  lay  in  a  supply 
of  this  article,  for  there  are  many  diseases  which  are  more 
or  less  prevalent  on  ship-board,  particularly  when  in  tropi- 
cal climates,  in  which  a  free  use  of  Currant  juice  would  be, 
at  least,  beneficial  to  the  patient,  if  not  a  curative. 

The  red  Currants  are  more  generally  used  for  making 
jellies  than  the  white,  but  why,  it  would  be  difficult  to 
tell  Perhaps  it  is  like  many  other  anomalies  we  observe 
in  market,  the  cause  of  which  can  only  be  attributed  to  a 
more  general  acquaintance  with  the  kind,  or  to  an  attrac- 
tive color.  The  white  Currants,  as  a  class,  are  of  a  richer 
flavor  and  less  acid  than  the  Red. 

The  Black  Currants  are  not  so  acid  as  the  red  and 
white  varieties,  but  their  strong  musky  flavor  is  not,  as  i 


CURRANT,  221 

rule,  agreeable  to  the  American  taste;  yet,  like  many 
other  fruits  of  strong  flavor,  it  gradually  becomes  less  ob- 
jectionable, until  at  last,  through  familiarity,  a  taste  for  it 
IB  acquired,  and  then  it  is  appreciated  and  valued  as  highly 
aa  any  other.  Every  year  there  appears  to  be  an  increas- 
ing demand  for  the  Black  Currants,  and  the  time  will  soon 
come,  if  it  has  not  already  arrived,  when  they  will  com- 
mand full  prices  and  be  sold  in  large  quantities.  Currant 
wine  made  from  the  different  kinds  is  a  well  known  article 
but  whether  its  manufacture  should  be  encouraged,  or 
otherwise,  I  will  leave  to  the  temperance  societies  to  de- 
cide. The  price  of  Currants  in  our  eastern  markets  varies 
from  four  to  fifteen  cents  per  pound ;  usually  the  largest 
and  best  varieties  will  bring  ten  cents  at  wholesale.  At 
the  last  named  price,  four  to  six  hundred  dollars  per  acre 
can  be  obtained. 

In  planting  the  common  red  and  white  kinds,  four  feet 
each  way  is  sufficient,  thus  giving  2,722  plants  per  acre. 
If  we  estimate  our  crop  at  two  pounds  per  plant,  which  is 
not  one-half  the  amount  they  should  produce  when  fully 
grown,  we  will  get  5,444  pounds  per  acre,  or  over  two 
tons  and  a  half,  and  at  two  hundred  dollars  per  ton  it 
amounts  to  over  five  hundred  dollars.  Then  we  have  the 
gathering,  shipping,  cultivation,  and  other  incidental  ex- 
penses to  deduct  therefrom.  But  even  then  it  can  be  seen 
that  it  will  be  a  very  profitable  crop.  In  case  of  great 
abundance  the  prices  might  be  somewhat  reduced,  but  by 
good  cultivation  the  crop  may  be  double  the  estimate 
given  above. 

The  Currant  possesses  many  good  qualities  to  recom- 
mend it ;  among  which  are  its  perfect  hardiness,  early  cul- 
ture, great  productiveness,  and  almost  the  certainty  of  a 
fall  crop  every  yeai 


CHAPTER    VH. 


GOOSEBERRY. 

NATURAL     FAMILY    GROSSULACEJB. 

\RBiu  Grosfrularla,  of  Botanists ;  Hides  Uva  Ortspa,  of  Linnaeus ;  Grostdtter,  ol 
the  French ;  Stachelbeere-strauch,  German ;  Uva-spina,  Italian ;  GrottOa,  Spanlih ; 
Kruiebes,  of  the  Dutch.] 

GENERAL    CHARACTER. 

Low,  deciduous  shrubs ;  stems  mostly  bearing  thorns 
at  the  base  of  the  leaf-stalks,  in  some  the  spines  or  prickles 
scattered,  usually  more  abundant  at  the  base  of  thd 
stems  than  above;  leaves  alternate,  palmately  lobed; 
fruit  a  one-celled  berry,  produced  in  small  clusters,  smooth 
or  prickly. 

SPECIES. 

The  following  are  indigenous  to  the  United  States,  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Gray  and  Chapman.  / 

Rifoes  Cynosbati. — Wild  Gooseberry. — Leaves  pubes- 
cent; peduncles  slender,  two  to  three  flowered;  spinei 
strong ;  berry  large,  armed  with  long  prickles,  like  a  burr, 
Barely  smooth. 

R.  hirtcllnm. — Smooth  Gooseberry.— Leaves  somewhat 
pubescent  beneath ;  peduncles  very  short,  one  to  two 
232 


GOOSEBERRY. 

flowered ;  stems  either  smooth  or  prickly,  and  with  verj 
short  thorns.  Common  in  all  the  Northern  States.  The 
well  known  Houghton's  Seedling,  of  the  nurseries,  belongs 
to  this  species. 

R.  rotundifolium. — Leaves  nearly  smooth,  rounded,  with 
very  short  and  blunt  lobes;  peduncles  slender,  one  to 
three  flowered  ;  fruit  smooth,  pleasant  flavored. 

R.  lacustre, — Swamp  Gooseberry. — Young  stems  with 
bristly  prickles  and  weak  thorns ;  leaves  heart-shaped, 
three  to  five-pointed,  with  lobes  deeply  cut ;  fruit  bristly. 
Cold  woods  and  swamps  from  New  England  to  the  West 
and  northward. 

R.  gracilc. — Axillary  spine  very  short ;  leaves  on  a 
slender  petiole,  pubescent  on  both  sides ;  the  lobes  acute, 
incised  and  acutely  toothed ;  peduncles  long,  one  to  two 
flowered.  Mountains  of  Tennessee ;  (Chapman  in  Flora 
of  the  Southern  States.) 

There  are  several  other  species,  or  those  described  as 
such,  but  as  we  have  no  cultivated  varieties  of  them,  it  is 
hardly  necessary  to  give  a  full  description.  The  following 
are  but  a  portion  of  those  known : 

R.  oxycanthoidcs. — Native  of  Canada  and  Newfound 
land,  and  to  the  northward. 

R«  divaricatum. — Branches  divaricate, bristly  or  naked; 
berries  black,  smooth.  Native  of  Northwest  coast  of 
America. 

R.  micropliylliim. — Small  Leaved  Gooseberry. — Native 
of  the  mountains  of  Mexico.  Flowers  red. 

R.  cuncifolium, — Berry  pale  red,  resembles  the  R.  Uva 
Crispa.  Native  of  Peru,  on  the  Andes. 

FOREIGN    SPECIES. 

R.  Grossularia.  ( Uva  C^ispa,  L.) — Leaves  three  to 
five-lobed,  rather  villous;  prickles  two  or  three  under 
each  bud  ;  branches  otherwise  smooth,  spreading  or  erect 


224  SMALL  FBUIT  CULTUBI8T. 

berries  smooth  or  covered  with  prickles,  red,  green  or  yel 
low.  Native  of  the  whole  of  Northern  Europe,  and  in 
the  woods  of  Britain.  This  species  is  the  parent  of  all 
the  noted  varieties  of  the  English  gardens. 

Other  species  are  known,  but  not  possessing  merits 
superior  to  the  above,  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  im- 
prove them.  The  native  species  of  America  are  really 
§uperior  to  the  R.  Ghrossularia  in  its  normal  state.  But  in 
England  great  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  cultivation 
and  improvement  of  this  fruit,  consequently  varieties  of 
great  size,  beauty  and  excellence  have  been  the  result. 

HISTORY. 

The  Gooseberry  has  no  separate  history  from  the  Cur« 
rant.  It  was,  as  we  have  before  stated,  not  known  as  a 
cultivated  fruit  until  within  the  last  two  or  three  hundred 
years.  Parkinson,  in  1640,  mentions  eight  varieties,  but 
the  varieties  increased  so  rapidly  in  the  next  hundred 
years,  that  Miller,  in  1731,  said  that  it  was  needless  to  un- 
dertake to  enumerate  them. 

If  this  was  true  in  the  days  of  Miller,  it  is  certainly  so 
at  the  present  time,  because  varieties  have  been  constantly 
increasing  ever  since,  until  some  of  the  English  nursery- 
men enumerate  three  hundred  kinds  in  th«ir  catalogues. 

In  this  country  very  little  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  Gooseberry,  and  the  list  of  kinds  grown  from  native 
species  is  very  small,  which  is  very  much  to  be  regretted, 
inasmuch  as  the  European  sorts  do  not,  as  a  general  thing 
lucceed  in  America. 

PROPAGATION. 

The  same  methods  recommended  for  the  Currant,  with 
one  or  two  exceptions,  are  equally  applicable  to  tht 
Gooseberry. 


GOOSEBERRY.  225 

AJ  a  general  thing,  it  does  not  ripen  its  wood  so  early 
In  the  season  as  the  Currant,  and  the  planting  of  the  cut- 
tings may  be  deferred  until  spring. 

They  are,  however,  more  certain,  if  made  in  the  fall  after 
the  leaves  have  fallen,  or  when  the  young  wood  is  fully 
mature,  than  if  the  operation  is  deferred  until  spring. 

The  cuttings  may  be  buried  either  in  the  open  ground 
or  cellar,  being  careful  not  to  allow  them  to  become  dry 
and  shrivelled  or  too  wet.  Growing  from  seed  cannot  be 
too  highly  Recommended  at  the  present  time,  because  we 
are  in  great  want  of  varieties  suited  to  our  climate,  and  it 
is  scarcely  to  be  expected  that  we  shall  obtain  them  in 
any  other  way  than  by  growing  seedlings  from  our  native 
species. 

We  have  plenty  of  varieties  which  were  produced  from 
the  seeds  of  foreign  kinds,  but  they  are  neither  superior 
in  quality  or  size,  nor  any  better  suited  to  our  climate 
than  the  originals. 

Native  varieties  from  native  species  is  the  field  in  which 
to  labor  for  making  permanent  progress,  and  the  general 
success  of  the  few  varieties  that  have  been  produced,  shows 
the  truth  of  this  assertion. 

PRUNING    AND    TRAINING. 

The  single  stem  system  is  probably  the  best  one  for 
training  the  Gooseberry.  The  fruit  is  produced  on  short 
gpurs  on  the  two  and  three  years  old  wood,  as  well  as  on 
that  of  the  preceding  year,  and  the  directions  given  for  the 
Currant  are  applicable  to  the  Gooseberry.  If  but  little 
fruit  is  desired,  and  that  of  large  size,  then  prune  close,  and 
leave  but  few  branches,  and  the  opposite  course  may  be 
followed  for  a  large  crop.  The  Gooseberry  should  be  train, 
ed  with  a  very  open  head,  more  so  than  the  Currant,  be- 
cause if  the  air  does  not  have  free  access  to  every  portion 
of  the  plant,  mildew  is  almost  certain  to  destroy  not  only 
the  fruit,  but  the  inside  branches,  if  not  the  whole  plant. 
10 


226  SMALL  FBurr  CULTURIST. 

A  proper  distribution  of  the  branches  should  be  observ- 
ed, and  be  so  arranged  that  they  shall  be  at  regular  dis« 
tances  from  each  other.  Then  all  little  side  shoots,  that 
may  appear  in  summer,  should  be  pruned  off.  The  young 
shoots  should  be  annually  shortened,  but  to  what  extent 
will  depend  somewhat  upon  the  amount  of  growth  the 
plants  have  made,  as  well  as  upon  the  quantity  and  quality 
of  fruit  desired.  Summer  pruning,  except  to  take  out 
small  weak  shoots  or  to  check  the  rampant  growth  of  a 
particular  branch  which  is  attracting  too  much  of  the 
strength  of  the  plant,  is  not  beneficial,  inasmuch  as  it  o£ 
ten  causes  young,  weak,  lateral  shoots  to  be  produced, 
which  often  fail  to  come  to  maturity. 

The  Gooseberry  may  be  trained  as  espaliers,  or  with  » 
single  stem  and  side  spurs,  or  in  almost  any  manner  that 
one's  fancy  may  suggest. 

The  regular  annual  pruning  may  be  performed  at  any 
time  after  the  wood  is  fully  matured  in  the  fall,  until  the 
buds  swell  in  the  spring. 

SOIL    AND    CULTURE. 

The  Gooseberry  likes  a  good,  deep,  moist  soil,  but  one 
that  is  not  really  wet.  A  rich  soil  is  also  essential,  be- 
cause it  is  only  by  keeping  up  a  vigorous  growth  that 
large  fruit  and  abundant  crops  can  be  secured.  An  open, 
airy  situation  is  better  than  one  that  is  confined,  and  in 
many  sections  of  the  country  the  north  side  of  a  hill 
would  be  far  preferable  to  a  southern  exposure.  The  ex< 
treme  heat  of  our  summer  has  been  the  greatest  impedi- 
ment to  the  successful  cultivation  of  the  English  Goose- 
berries, and  to  counteract  this,  the  coolest  available  situa- 
tion should  be  selected.  Also,  in  enriching  the  ground, 
use  no  fermenting  manure ;  apply  none  but  that  which  is 
old  and  well  rotted.  Cow  manure  is  far  better  than  horse 
manure,  particularly  on  light,  warm  soils.  Mulching  the 
plants  in  summer  is  very  beneficial,  and  if  tan  bark  of 


GOOSEBERRY.  22? 

•pent  hops  from  a  brewery  can  be  obtained,  they  should 
be  used  in  preference  to  hay  or  straw.  Good  culture  is 
required  to  produce  good  crops,  the  same  as  with  other 
fruits. 

MILDEW. — This  is  the  one  great  enemy  to  the  Goose- 
berry in  the  United  States.  It  not  only  attacks  the  fruit, 
but  often  extends  over  the  whole  plant,  effectually  check- 
ing its  growth. 

So  prevalent  has  this  disease  become,  that  the  foreign 
varieties  are  almost  universally  discarded,  as  there  are  few 
locations  where  they  will  succeed. 

There  are  many  remedies  which  have  been  from  tune 
to  time  recommended,  and  they  often  appear  to  be  effectual, 
while  in  other  instances  they  are  of  no  use  whatever. 

The  following  remedies  against  mildew  are  worth  try- 
ing, although  they  cannot  be  called  radical  cures  : 

Scatter  flour  of  sulphur  over  the  bushes  soon  after 
the  berries  have  set,  and  repeat  the  application  occasion- 
ally until  the  fruit  is  ripe. 

Water  the  plants  with  strong  soap-suds,  or  dissolve  one 
pound  of  potash  in  a  barrel  of  water,  and  then  sprinkle 
the  plants  once  a  week  with  it. 

Soak  fresh  mown  or  dry  hay  in  brine  for  twelve  hours ; 
then  cover  the  entire  surface  of  the  soil  about  the  plants 
with  this,  as  a  mulch.  If  hops,  tan  bark,  or  other  mulch 
has  previously  been  applied,  then  sprinkle  it  with  salt ;  a 
single  handful  to  each  plant  will  be  sufficient. 

All  of  these  remedies  will  often  fail,  but  still  they  are 
worth  trying.  Old  plants  are  more  liable  to  suffer  from 
mildew  than  young  ones,  therefore  it  is  best  to  keep  a 
supply  of  fresh  plants  always  on  hand;  in  fact,  so  long  as 
you  can  keep  the  plant  growing  vigorously,  there  is  but 
little  danger  from  mildew. 

I  have  often  seen  the  foreign  varieties  doing  splendidly 
in  a  half  shady  situation,  such  as  the  north  side  of  a  wall 
or  fence,  or  in  the  shade  of  trees ;  but  such  a  situation 


228  toMALL   FRUIT   OULTFRIST. 

cannot  be  recommended  as  the  best,  because  mildew  doei 
destroy  plants  under  just  such  circumstances.  No  effec- 
tual remedy  can  be  given,  nor  the  best  location  pointed  out, 
because  the  experiences  of  different  cultivators  are  so  con* 
flicting,  that  the  one  which  appears  to  be  the  best  in  oce 
location,  would  seem  to  be  the  very  poorest  for  another. 
Wherever  the  foreign  kinds  will  grow  without  being  at- 
tacked by  mildew,  they  are  certainly  far  preferable  to  any 
of  our  native  ones ;  but  my  own  remedy  against  mildew 
is,  to  cultivate  none  but  the  native  varieties,  for  with  these 
I  have  never  experienced  the  least  trouble,  nor  as  yet  had 
%  berry  affected  by  disease  of  any  kind. 

INSECTS. 

The  Gooseberry  and  Currant  are  so  nearly  related,  that 
many  of  the  injurious  insects  are  common  to  both.  The 
Currant-moth,  (Abraxis,)  is  equally  destructive  to  the 
Gooseberry,  while  the  Currant-borer  seldom,  if  ever,  at- 
tacks it.  Harris,  Fitch,  and  other  entomologists,  describe 
quite  a  number  of  insects  that  are  occasionally  found  upon 
the  Gooseberry,  but  thus  far  their  ravages  in  this  country 
have  not  been  very  extensive.  The  following  are  occa- 
sionally met,  and  if  they  should  become  numerous,  would, 
at  the  same  time,  become  very  injurious: 

Lee  an  him  Cynosbati. —  Gooseberry  Bark-louse. — 
(Fitch.) — Attacking  the  stalks  of  the  wild  Gooseberry;  a 
hemispheric,  smooth,  shining  resin-brown  reale,  commonly 
freckled  with  dull  yellow  dots,  and  with  a  dull  yellow 
itripe  along  its  middle.  Remedy,  close  pruning,  and  an 
application  of  potash  dissolved  in  water ;  one  pound  to 
eight  gallons  of  water. 

Pftciloptera  pruinosa— Mealy  Flata— (Say.)— A  small 
four- winged  fly,  of  a  dark  bluish  color,  covered  with  a 
mealy  white  powder,  which  attacks  the  leaves  late  in  the 
leason,  puncturing  the  leaves  and  young  shoots,  sucking 
the  juices  of  the  plant. 


GOOSEBERRY 

Probably,  dusting  the  plants  with  ashes  or  lime  would 
destroy  them,  or  at  least  prevent  their  attacks. 

Cecidomyia  Grossulariae — Gooseberry  Midge — (Fitch.) 
— "The  berries  turning  red  prematurely  and  becoming 
putrid,  having  in  them  small,  bright  yellow  maggots,  of 
an  oblong-oval  form,  and  slightly  divided  into  segments 
by  fine  impressed  transverse  lines ;  changing  to  pupae  in  the 
berries,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  July  giving  out  a  small 
two-winged  fly,  resembling  a  musquito,  of  beeswax  yellow 
color."  The  berries  should  be  gathered  so  soon  as  they 
show  signs  of  premature  ripening,  and  fed  to  hogs,  or 
otherwise  destroyed. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  and  the  various  insects  in- 
jurious to  the  Currant  and  Gooseberry,  there  are  several 
others  which  occasionally  do  some  harm,  either  to  the 
leaves  or  fruit.  There  is  a  minute  moth  which  breeds  in 
the  fruit,  the  caterpillar  eating  out  the  center  of  the  berry. 
In  wet  seasons  a  species  of  Plant-Louse  (Aphis  ribis) 
infests  the  Eed  Currant,  but  does  not  attack  the  black 
varieties,  or  the  Gooseberry,  but  none  of  these  are  very 
destructive,  and  the  cultivator  can  usually  get  rid  of 
them  by  the  use  of  the  simple  insecticides  usually  at 
hand.  Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  habits  of  insects 
can  do  much  by  removing  the  eggs,  often  laid  in  clus- 
ters, and  destroying  them  before  they  hatch,  and  the 
brood  is  scattered. 

PROFITS    OF    CULTURE. 

There  is  far  less  demand  for  the  Gooseberry  than  almost 
any  other  of  our  small  fruits.  It  is  generally  gathered 
before  it  is  ripe,  and  sold  for  making  pies,  tarts,  etc.,  con- 
sequently, the  demand  for  it  is  not  so  great  as  for  other 
fruits,  which  are  used  for  a  greater  variety  of  purposes. 

In  the  New  York  markets,  the  price  varies  from  one  to 
three,  or  four  dollars  per  bushel  But  whether  the  d«/- 


230  SMALL  FBFIT  CULTUEIST. 

mand  would  warrant  a  very  extended  culture,  is  uncertain, 
at  least.  Each  cultivator  will  have  to  be  his  own  judge  in 
the  matter,  and  if  he  can  be  sure  of  obtaining  two  dollars 
per  bushel,  he  can  make  Gooseberry  culture  profitable,  at 
least  with  the  native  varieties.  Two  to  four  hundred 
bushels  per  acre  can  be  grown  of  these  kinds,  and  the 
«ost  of  culture,  gathering,  marketing,  etc.,  ought  not  to 
be  over  fifty  cents  per  bushel.  I  have  grown  the 
Houghton  Seedling,  (which  I  do  not  consider  the  best  or 
most  profitable,)  and  sold  the  fruit  for  one  dollar  and  fifty 
cents  per  bushel,  and  believe  it  was  a  profitable  transac- 
tion. 

NATIVE    VARIETIES. 

Cluster.  —  (American  Red,  Dutch  Joe,  Pale  Red,  St. 
Clair,  Roberts'  Sweet  Water,  etc.)  —  Small,  oval,  about 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long;  reddish  purple;  sweet, 
juicy,  and  good.  Bush,  a  strong,  slender  grower ;  leaves 
light,  bright  green ;  very  productive. 

Cluster  Seedling,— Similar  to  its  parent,  but  slightly 
more  upright  in  growth,  and  the  leaves  of  a  pale  grayish- 
green. 

'  Downing, — Medium  to  large,  oval,  about  J  of  an  inch 
long ;  greenish- white ;  excellent  flavor.  Plant,  an  upright 
grower;  leaves  deep  shining  green;  very  productive; 
probably  the  best  native  variety. 

Originated  with  Charles  Downing,  New  burgh,  N.  T. 

Houghton'S  Seedling.— Fruit  small  to  medium,  round- 
ish-oval,  pale  red,  sweet,  tender,  and  very  good ;  leaves 
deep  shining  green.  The  young  plants  upright  in  growth, 
but  as  they  become  old  they  assume  a  spreading,  almost 
weeping  habit.  A  vigorous  and  productive  variety,  and 
is  seldom  affected  by  mildew.  Originated  with  Abel 
Houghton,  Lynn,  Mass. 

Mountain  Seedling.  —  Large,  roundish-oval,  pale  red ; 
akin  rather  tough  and  thick,  but  of  fair  quality.  The 


GOOSEBBBRY.  231 

iftrgest  of  the  native  varieties ;  often  over  an  inch  in  length. 
Plant  a  coarse,  spreading  grower,  with  very  strong  spines, 
Productive  and  valuable. 
Originated  with  the  Shakers,  at  Lebanon,  Pa. 

FOREIGN    VARIETIES. 

To  attempt  to  give  a  list  of  the  best  foreign  varieties, 
would  be  the  hight  of  folly  on  my  part,  inasmuch  as  there 
is  no  dozen  or  more  sorts  upon  which  any  two  of  the 
most  experienced  English  growers  would  agree. 

The  number  of  really  first  class  varieties  known  in 
England  is  almost  innumerable,  and  a  host  of  new  ones 
are  brought  forward  every  season.  To  give  some  idea  of 
the  attention  which  is  paid  to  the  culture  of  this  fruit  in 
England,  I  will  state  that  the  Annual  Gooseberry  Grow- 
ers' Register,  for  1863,  is  a  volume  of  over  200  pages,  and 
gives  reports  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  Gooseberry 
shows. 

When  the  horticulturists  of  the  United  States  will  sup- 
port as  many  exhibitions  for  the  purpose  of  showing  any 
one  or  all  the  small  fruits  combined,  then  we  shall  have 
no  need  of  looking  to  other  countries  for  new  varieties. 

Among  the  old  varieties  which  have  been  known  in  thia 
country  for  twenty  to  forty  years,  and  are  still  esteemed 
as  good  as  any,  I  will  name  the  following : 

RED. — Ironmonger,  Warriugton,  Red  Champagne,  Red 
Walnut. 

GREEN.  —  Green  Walnut,  Green  Globe,  Green  Gage, 
WTiite  Smith. 

YELLOW. — Golden  Drop,  Sulphur,  Conqueror,  Yellow 
Champagne,  Hunt's,  Tawny,  Royal  Sovereign. 

WHITE. — Large  Crystal,  Royal  George,  White  Dutch, 
White  Walnut 


233  SMALL   FRUIT  CTTLTTTBIST. 

Among  the  very  newest  and  !argest  varieties  which 
have  taken  premiums  at  the  great  Gooseberry  shows  in 
England,  I  give  the  following  twelve  as  the  heaviest  nam- 
ed in  this  record : 

RED. — Leicester's  Smoker,  Brother-ton's  Foreman,  Pilk- 
in  ton's  Farmer. 

GREEN.  —  Prophet's  Diadem,  Becket's  Bravo,  Brother 
ton's  Birchen  Lane. 

YELLOW.— Wilkinson's  Oyster  Girl,  Eardlay's  Hannah, 

WHITE. — Shingler's  Edna,  Miss  Soars,  Walton's  Annie. 

The  heaviest  berry  weighed  29  dwt.  12  grs. ;  and  the 
lightest  16  dwt.  2  grs. 

But  to  produce  berries  of  the  weights  given  requires 
extra  care,  more  than  probably  any  of  our  cultivators 
would  be  likely  to  give  to  the  Gooddbeny,  even  if  our 
climate  was  as  suitable  to  its  culture  as  that  of  England 


CHAPTER 


CORNELIAN    CHER 
NATUKAL  FAMILY   CORNACE.E.— (Dogwood  or  Cornel.) 

[Name  derived  from  Cornu,  a  horn,  allading  to  the  hardness  of  the  wood.  l» 
French,  Gom0uiOer  ;  Dutch,  Kvriwelje  ;  German,  Kornd  Kirsche  ;  Italian,  Gory 
nulo;  Spanish,  Oornqo.] 

GENERAL    CHARACTERS. 

The  species  constituting  this  genus  are  mainly  deciduous 
shrubs  or  small  trees.  Flowers  small,  inconspicuous,  but 
in  some  species  they  are  surrounded  by  a  large  and  showy 
involucre,  which  is  sometimes  called  the  flower,  as  in  one 
of  our  native  species,  ( Cornua  florida).  There  is  but  one 
known  species  which  produces  fruit  worthy  of  our  atten- 
tion. 

f  ornilS  mascula. — Cornelian  Cherry.— Shrubs  growing 
ten  to  twenty  feet  high,  with  smooth  branches;  leaves 
^sal,  acuminate,  of  a  dull  green  color;  flowers  small,  yel- 
low, in  clusters,  produced  early  in  spring,  before  the  leaves ; 
fruit  oblong,  about  one  inch  in  length  and  half  an  inch  in 
diameter ;  color  bright  reddish-scarlet ;  flesh  firm,  slightly 
juicy  when  ripe,  acid,  not  particularly  agreeable  in  its  raw 
state ;  fruit  ripens  in  September,  but  remains  a  long  time 
on  the  bush,  which  makes  it  exceedingly  ornamental 
233 


234:  SMALL   FKUIT   CULTUEIST. 

A  variety  of  this  species  produces  fruit  of  a  bright  yeL 
low  color.  The  fruit  is  a  little  larger  than  the  red,  and  not 
quite  so  acid. 


HISTORY. 


The  Cornel,  as  it  is  generally  called  in  our  older  works 
on  gardening,  is  a  native  of  the  South  of  Europe  and 


Fig.  99. — CORNELIAN  CHERRY. 

Eastern  Asia.  It  is  mentioned  by  nearly  all  of  the  ancient 
writers.  Sometimes  the  fruit  is  named,  while  others  praise 
the  quality  of  the  wood,  which  is  very  hard.  That  it  was 
formerly  used  for  arrows  and  javelins,  we  infer  from  the 


CORNELIAN   CHERBY.  */i 

frequent  allusions  made  to  it  in  connection  with  imple- 
ments of  war.     Homer,  in  the  Odyssey,  Book  xiv,  says : 

"  His  cornel  spear, 
Ulysses  waved  to  rouse  the  savage  war." 

It  is  also  mentioned  in  a  similar  connection  in  Virgil's 
Georgics. 

Theophrastus  and  Pliny  are  supposed  to  refer  to  it  when 
speaking  of  some  of  the  hard  kinds  of  wood  growing  wild 
in  Italy.  But  these  writers  are  generally  so  vague  in  their 
descriptions,  that  it  is  difficult  to  determine  what  particular 
trees  or  plants  they  were  endeavoring  to  describe. 

Nearly  every  English  author,  from  Tusser,  who,  hi  his 
work  written  in  1557,  called  them  Cornel  Plums,  down 
to  the  present  time,  have  mentioned  the  Cornel.  Some 
eulogize  the  beauty  as  well  as  quality  of  the  fruit,  while 
others  refer  to  it  as  merely  an  ornamental  plant.  The 
name  Mascula  or  Mas  was  given  it  from  the  fact  that 
plants  grown  from  seed  produce  only  staminate  or  male 
flowers  for  the  first  ten  to  fifteen  years ;  afterwards  flowers 
of  both  sexes  appear,  followed  by  fruit.  It  appears  to 
have  derived  the  name  of  Dogwood  from  a  wild  species 
found  in  Britain,  which  bears  a  small  fruit,  not  edible. 
Parkinson  says  this  wild  species  was  called  hounds-tree, 
(dog-berry  tree,)  because  the  fruit  was  not  fit  for  the  dogs ; 
hence  the  name  Dogwood,  which  has  become  the  common 
name  of  the  whole  genus.  The  Cornelian  Cherry  is  not 
very  plentiful  in  the  United  States,  although  nearly  every 
nurseryman  keeps  the  plants  for  sale.  The  long  time 
which  it  requires  to  bring  seedling  plants  into  bearing,  has 
been  one  reason  why  we  see  so  few  in  private  gardens. 

In  the  older  nurseries  and  gardens  near  our  eastern 
cities,  bearing  plants  are  frequently  seen,  but  they  are  not 
so  common  as  their  merits  deserve. 

The  plants  live  to  a  great  age,  and  there  are  specimens 
in  Europe,  which  are  known  to  have  been  planted  more 
than  two  hundred  years. 


236  BMALL  FBurr  CULTUBIST. 

PROPAGATION. 

BY  SEEDS. — Plants  are  more  generally  grown  from  eeed 
than  otherwise ;  consequently,  for  reasons  previously  stated, 
they  are  a  long  time  coming  into  bearing.  The  fruit 
should  be  gathered  in  the  fall,  and  the  seeds  separated 
from  the  pulp ;  then  mixed  with  earth,  and  buried  where 
they  will  keep  moist,  and  not  be  disturbed  until  the  ensu- 
ing autumn.  They  will  seldom,  if  ever,  germinate  the 
first  season ;  consequently  there  is  no  use  of  sowing  them 
where  it  is  desirable  to  have  them  grow,  and  be  obliged  to 
cultivate  the  ground  where  there  are  no  plants.  When 
the  seeds  have  remained  one  season  in  the  rot-heap,  (to  use 
a  gardener's  phrase,)  take  them  out  and  sow  in  drills,  plac- 
ing the  seeds  two  or  three  inches  apart,  and  cover  two 
inches  deep.  The  seedlings  produce  a  mass  of  small 
fibrous  roots,  and  can  be  rapidly  transplanted  in  spring  or 
autumn.  If  bearing  plants  are  at  hand,  from  which  buds 
or  grafts  can  be  obtained,  then  it  is  better  to  u«e  the  seed- 
lings as  stock.  In  this  case,  they  should  be  transplanted 
from  the  seed-beds  into  rows  four  feet  apart,  placing  the 
plants  about  a  foot  apart  in  the  rows.  The  seefJJings  will 
usually  be  large  enough  to  work  the  third  year. 

CUTTINGS. — These  should  be  made  of  the  one  year  old 
wood,  and  in  the  same  manner  as  described  in  the  preceding 
chapter  for  the  Barberry.  The  cuttings  do  not  root  very 
freely,  and  to  insure  even  moderate  success,  tho  ground 
should  be  kept  very  moist  during  the  early  part  of  the 
season,  or  until  roots  are  produced.  A  deep,  moist  soil  is 
requisite,  and  if  'covered  with  mulch,  so  much  the  better. 

LAYERS. — This  is  the  most  common  mode  of  propagat- 
ing from  bearing  plants.  Put  down  the  layers  in  early 
spring,  cutting  them  as  usual  with  woody  plants,  an'l  they 
will  generally  be  sufficiently  rooted  to  be  removed  from 
the  parent  plant  in  autumn. 

Layers  do  not  usually  make  as  handsome  plant*  v 


CORNELIAN    CHEEKY.  237 

lings ;  still  they  are  preferable,  because  they  will  produce 
fruit  when  quite  young. 

BUDDING. — This  operation  should  be  performed,  in  the 
usual  manner,  so  soon  as  good,  well  developed  buds  are  to 
be  obtained  from  the  young  wood  of  the  present  season's 
growth. 

GRAFTING. — This  should  be  done  in  the  spring,  just  be- 
fore the  leaves  start,  and  upon  young  stocks,  such  as  seed- 
lings of  two  to  four  years  old ;  the  whip  or  splice  graft  is 
preferable  to  the  wedge. 

CULTIVATION. 

There  is  no  particular  skill  required  in  cultivating  the 
Cornelian  Cherry,  as  the  plant  is  far  from  being  a  delicate 
one.  It  will  grow  in  almost  any  good,  garden  soil.  In 
England,  it  is  said  to  prefer  a  calcareous  one,  but  the  larg- 
est and  best  plants,  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  are  in  a 
compact  loam,  approaching  a  clay.  An  open,  but  some- 
what sheltered  situation  is  preferable  on  account  of  the 
plant  blooming  so  very  early ;  the  flowers  are  often  de- 
stroyed by  spring  frosts,  unless  protected,  or  where  there 
is  just  sufficient  circulation  of  air  to  prevent  freezing.  A 
strong,  direct  current  of  air  will  often  blast  the  flowers, 
when  the  same  degree  of  cold  would  not  injure  them  if 
the  air  was  still,  or  only  moved  by  a  gentle  breeze. 

VARIETIES. 

There  are,  it  is  said,  other  edible  varieties  besides  the 
two  which  I  have  named,  but  I  have  no  personal  knowl- 
edge of  their  merits.  There  is  a  variegated  leaved  variety 
which  I  have  cultivated  for  several  years,  but  up  to  the 
present  time  it  has  produced  no  fruit. 

USES. — In  former  times,  when  better  fruit  was  scarce, 
Cornels  were  used  for  vanous  conserves  and  to  mix  with 


238  SMALL  FKUIT   CULTUBIST. 

apples  and  pears  for  making  cider.  It  is  doubtful  if  il 
will  ever  become  a  popular  fruit  with  us,  unless  better 
varieties  that  those  we  now  possess  are  produced.  Its 
beauty,  however,  commends  it  to  the  attention  of  every 
one  who  possesses  a  garden. 

DISEASES  AND  INSECTS. — None,  or  so  few  an  not  to  bo 
worth  naming. 


CHAPTER   IX. 


CRANBERRY.— VAOCINIUM. 
ERICACEAE,  or  Heath  Family. 

[Vaedntum  Oxy coccus,  an  ancient  Latin  name  of  obscure  derivation.  French 
name  is  Hirette  ;  German,  Heidefoeer*  ;  and  Mooreberrie.  The  bub-family  name, 
Oxycoccus,  is  derived  fromoanw,  sharp  or  acid,  and  kokkits,  a  her  /,  in  reference  to 
the  acid  taste  of  the  berries.  The  name  Cranberry  is  supposed  by  some  authors 
to  have  been  given  it  because  the  fruit  stem  is  crooked  like  a »  rane's-bill,  while 
others  state  that  it  was  because  cranes  were  fond  of  the  fruit.] 

GENERAL    CHARACTERS. 

Low,  trailing,  evergreen  shrubs,  with  \ary  slender 
oranches;  fruit-bearing  stems  erect;  flower  bell-shaped, 
white,  or  tinged  with  red ;  berry  usually  four  to  five-cell- 
ed ;  seeds  numerous. 

SPECIES. 

Vaccinium  Oxycoccus.  —  Small   Cranberry.  —  Leaves 
ovate,  acute,  with  revolute  margins ;  stems  very  slender 
berries  very  small,  spotted  when  young,  becoming  red  at 
maturity.     Grows  in  peat  bogs  in  nearly  all  of  the  North- 
ern States,  also  in  Northern  Europe. 

?.  macrocarpon.  —  Common  American  Cranberry. — 
Leaves  oblong,  obtuse,  glaucous  underneath,  with  slightly 
revolute  margins.     Flower-stems  erect ;  fruit  pale  pinkish* 
239 


240  SMALL  FBTTIT  CULTUET8T. 

white  to  deep  red,  one  half  to  one  inch  in  diameter;  varia 
ble  in  shape,  from  globular,  ovoid,  ovate-oblong,  bell 
§hape,  etc. 

V.  erythrocarpon. — Bush  Cranberry. — Leaves  decidu 
ous,  oblong-ovate,  acuminate,  bristly  serrate ;  stems  erect, 
flexible ;  two  to  four  feet  high ;  berry  small,  red,  dry  and 
insipid.  High  mountains  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 

ins  TORT. 

The  Cranberry  is  almost  exclusively  a  northern  plant, 
and  was  probably  not  known  to  the  Romans  until  their 
conquests  in  the  North.  In  Northern  Europe  it  has  been 
highly  appreciated  for  centuries,  and  immense  quantities 
are  annually  brought  into  the  English  markets  from  Russia 
and  Sweden,  in  addition  to  those  produced  in  Britain. 
The  American  Cranberry,  V.  macrocarpon,  was  intro- 
duced into  England  in  1760,  and,  although  acknowledged 
to  be  superior  to  the  common  European  species,  still  we 
have  no  accounts  of  its  being  cultivated  there  to  any  con- 
siderable extent. 

The  first  settlers  in  America  found  the  Cranberry  in 
such  abundance  that  there  was  no  necessity  for  cultivat- 
ing it,  until  the  population  became  so  numerous  that  the 
natural  supply  would  not  equal  the  demand.  This  point 
was  reached  about  thirty  years  ago,  at  which  time  nu- 
merous experiments  in  its  cultivation  commenced  at  Cape 
Cod,  and  in  a  few  other  places. 

Previous  to  this  time,  however,  an  occasional  plot  had 
been  cultivated.  Kenrick,  in  the  New  American  Orchard- 
fet,  1832,  says :  Capt.  Henry  Hall,  of  Barnstable,  Mass., 
has  cultivated  the  Cranberry  for  twenty  years.  In  the 
New  England  Farmer,  Vol.  IX,  No.  18,  is  an  account  of 
a  Mr.  F.  A.  Hayden,  of  Lincoln.  Mass.,  who,  in  1830,  sold 
from  his  farm  400  bushels  of  Cranberries  for  six  hundred 
dollars.  From  these  and  a  few  other  recorded  instances 


CRANBERRY.  341 

of  Cranberry  culture,  we  infer  that  there  were  very  few 
who  attempted  its  cultivation  previous  to  1835  or  1840. 
Since  that  time  there  has  been  a  steady  increase,  until,  at 
the  present  time,  thousands  of  acres  are  devoted  to  the 
culture  of  this  fruit.  Not  only  have  individuals  turned 
their  attention  to  it,  but  companies  have  been  formed 
with  abundant  means  to  cultivate  the  Cranberry  upon  an 
extensive  scale. 

In  addition  to  the  benefit  derived  from  having  our  mar- 
kets supplied  with  the  fruit,  its  culture  is  a  source  of  na- 
tional wealtk,  inasmuch  as  the  land  devoted  to  it  was 
previously  uncultivated,  neither  enriching  individuals  by 
its  productions,  nor  yielding  taxes  to  the  State. 

Many  of  our  low,  boggy  wastes,  which  formerly  were 
sources  of  miasmatic  diseases,  have  been  changed  into 
healthful  locations  and  fruitful  fields. 

PROPAGATION. 

To  propagate  some  of  our  cultivated  fruits  successfully, 
requires  more  or  less  skill,  but  the  Cranberry  may  be  said 
to  propagate  itself.  The  plant,  as  it  creeps  along  over  the 
ground,  throws  out  innumerable  roots,  fixing  every  por- 
tion of  the  prostrate  stems  to  the  soil.  If  these  branches 
do  not  root  as  soon  as  desired,  a  little  earth  thrown  over 
them  will  hasten  the  process. 

The  plants  may  be  taken  up  ?«nd  planted  whole,  or  be 
divided  into  small  pieces,  each  of  which  will  soon  become 
a  strong  plant.  Even  the  upright  stems  may  be  used  for 
cuttings,  and  when  planted  in  the  spring,  they  will  become 
rooted  by  the  next  fall. 

The  small  green  tips  of  the  growing  branches  may  be 
taken  off  in  summer,  and  rooted  under  a  bell-glass,  or  in 
ordinary  glazed  frames. 

Cultivators  seldom  have  recourse  to  seeds  for  extending 
their  plantations,  but  they  may  be  planted  for  the  purpose 
of  producing  new  varieties  as  well  as  multiplying  old 
U 


242  SMALL  FBOTT  CULTUBIST. 

ones.  The  seeds  should  be  prepared  and  kept  througl 
the  winter  in  the  same  manner  as  recommended  for  the 
Huckleberry  in  a  succeeding  chapter. 

Sow  them  in  drills  and  keep  free  of  weeds,  either  by 
hoeing  or  mulching  with  saw-dust,  or  tan-bark,  if  grown 
on  dry  soils,  but  if  on  low  grounds,  use  sand  instead, 
Transplant  into  fruiting-beds  when  one  or  two  years  old. 

PREPARATION    OF    SOIL. 

Naturally,  the  common  Cranberry  is  a  semi-aquatic 
plant,  requiring  a  constant  supply  of  water  to  ensure  its 
highest  state  of  perfection.  It  is  usually  found  in  low  peat 
bogs,  where  it  is  often  entirely  submerged  in  the  winter 
months,  and  the  roots  are  in  contact  with  water  during  a 
greater  portion  of  the  year. 

While  this  is  the  condition  in  which  we  usually  find  the 
wild,  plants,  yet,  occasionally,  they  are  found  upon  high  and 
dry  soils.  Judging,  however,  from  the  position  in  which 
we  find  the  greatest  quantities,  we  conclude  that  a  wet 
soil  is  the  most  natural  one.  If  we  leave  the  normal  con- 
dition of  the  plant  out  of  the  question,  and  base  our  con- 
clusions entirely  upon  the  results  of  the  many  experiments 
which  have  been  made  in  the  last  thirty  years,  we  find 
tbat  their  cultivation  in  wet  soils  has  been  attended  with 
the  best  success  and  the  most  remunerative  results.  It  is 
not  to  be  assumed  that  they  cannot  be  grown  upon  soils 
that  are  naturally  dry,  for  we  have  many  instances  of  suc- 
cess under  such  circumstances,  but,  as  a  whole,  the  upland 
cultivation  has  not  been  equally  profitable  with  the  low 
land.  It  is  not  altogether  for  the  purpose  of  supplying 
the  plants  with  moisture  that  abundance  of  water  is  re- 
quired, but  for  other  purposes,  among  which  are  the  fol- 
lowing : 

First. — Covering  the  plants  in  winter,  thereby  affording 
a  protection  from  severe  cold. 


CRANBERRY.  243 

Second.— Preventing  the  frost  in  spring  from  injuring 
the  flowers. 

Third. — Destroying  the  Cranberry-worms,  which  some- 
times attack  the  plants  and  fruit. 

Assuming  that  these  precautionary  measures  are  neceah 
sary  to  the  best  results,  it  follows  that  a  situation  should 
be  selected  where  the  conditions  named  can  be  secured. 

Another  important  material,  used  in  preparing  Cran- 
berry beds,  is  sand,  which  is  spread  over  the  surface  of  the 
soil 

This  not  only  in  a  great  measure  prevents  the  weeds 
from  growing  until  the  plants  have  entirely  covered  the 
beds,  but  keeps  the  fruit  clean,  besides  making  the  surface 
always  open  and  friable.  Sometimes  the  low  peat  beds 
ire  so  rich  in  nutritive  matter,  unless  sand  is  used,  that  the 
vines  would  grow  so  luxuriant  that  they  would  be  unpro- 
ductive. 

In  fact,  very  little  alluvial  soil  is  needed,  and  when  the 
deposit  is  a  foot  in  depth,  it  will  be  fully  equal,  if  not  supe- 
rior, to  a  situation  where  it  is  more  abundant.  In  some 
sections,  they  are  grown  in  what  appears  to  be  almost 
pure  sand,  there  being  scarcely  a  trace  of  nutritive  matter 
to  be  found,  the  water  and  the  materials  held  in  solution 
therein,  furnishing  the  principal  portions  of  food  to  the 
plants. 

The  first  step  in  preparing  a  Cranberry  bed  is  usually 
that  of  digging  a  broad,  deep  ditch  entirely  around  the 
plot,  for  the  purpose  of  draining  off  the  surface  water,  so 
that  the  ground  may  be  cleaned.  If  the  soil  thrown  out 
of  the  ditches  is  sufficiently  compact,  it  may  form  the  em- 
bankments ;  if  not,  then  other  soil  must  be  added.  When 
the  water  has  been  removed,  then  clear  off  all  trees,  logs, 
brush,  and  other  incumbrances ;  these  may  be  burned  on 
the  ground,  and  the  ashes  scattered  over  the  surface,  pro- 
vided it  can  be  done  without  endangering  the  soil.  Some- 
times, when  the  soil  is  very  dry,  there  is  danger  of  its  bunt' 


344  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 

ing  to  considerable  depth.  Some  cultivators  remove  all  of 
the  surface  soil  to  the  depth  of  six  inches  or  a  foot,  and,  in 
some  cases,  it  may  be  beneficial  for  the  purpose  of  bringing 
the  whole  bed  to  a  lower  grade,  but  where  this  is  not  re- 
quisite, and  sand  is  abundant,  it  is  cheaper  to  spread  on  a 
greater  depth  of  sand  and  leave  the  whole  depth  of  nat- 
ural soil. 

Again,  if  the  peat  is  deep  enough  so  that  a  portion  can 
be  spared,  it  should  be  carted  off  for  manuring  the  adja- 
cent land,  especially  if  it  is  of  a  sandy  nature,  for  there  is 
no  more  valuable  manure,  (barn-yard  excepted,)  than  the 
top  layer  of  these  peat  or  muck  swamps.  It  is  always 
better  to  prepare  the  ground  at  least  one  season  before 
planting,  so  that  all  weeds,  brush,  and  roots,  may  be  thor- 
oughly destroyed ;  because  if  it  is  not  done  at  the  start,  it 
will  be  a  difficult  operation  after  the  ground  is  covered 
with  plants. 

Where  the  soil  is  sufficiently  firm  to  admit  of  being 
plowed  and  harrowed,  it  is  best  to  do  so,  as  by  this  means 
a  more  thorough  preparation  can  be  obtained,  and  at  less 
expense  than  when  wholly  performed  by  hand.  When 
the  soil  has  been  made  level,  and  otherwise  prepared,  it 
should  be  covered  with  pure  sand  to  the  depth  of  from 
four  to  eight  inches,  the  depth  being  regulated  by  the 
nature  of  the  soil ;  if  it  is  very  loose,  then  apply  more 
than  when  comparatively  compact,  as  more  or  less  will 
gink  into  the  soil  below. 

A  uniform  depth  is  quite  important,  and  can  easily  t* 
obtained,  provided  the  surface  is  made  level  before  Hi 
application. 

The  position  and  texture  of  the  soil  will  suggest  the  best 
mode  of  application,  whether  by  teams  or  otherwise. 

There  are  many  locations  where  these  peat-beds  are  un- 
derlaid with  sand,  and  if  the  soil  is  not  over  one  or  two 
feet  deep,  and  can  be  sufficiently  drained  to  allow  of  theii 
being  conveniently  worked,  they  may  be  tienched,  bring 


CBANBERRY.  245 

Ing  the  required  amount  of  sand  to  the  surface,  instead  of 
hauling  it  from  a  distance.  The  sand  should  he  pure,  and 
not  mixed  with  clay,  loam,  or  other  soil.  All  of  these  cir- 
cumstances should  he  taken  into  consideration  when  select- 
ing a  location  for  Cranberry  plantations. 

Often  one  set  of  embankments,  flood-gates,  etc.,  will  an- 
swer for  several  parties,  if  they  can  agree  and  join  together 
in  the  undertaking.  The  size  of  the  hed  is  immaterial;  it 
may  he  one  acre  or  one  hundred,  provided  it  can  he  mad 
level,  so  that  one  portion  shall  not  be  covered  deeper  than 
another,  when  flooded.  The  embankments  should  be  at 
least  four  feet  high  when  first  made,  for  they  will  settle 
some ;  besides,  it  is  best  to  have  them  a  foot  or  more  above 
high  water  mark,  to  guard  against  breaks. 

If  one  is  in  no  hurry  about  planting,  and  is  disposed  to 
wait,  the  embankments  may  be  formed  and  the  ground 
flooded,  and  kept  in  this  condition  until  the  weeds,  bushes, 
etc.,  upon  it,  are  killed,  after  which  the  water  may  be 
withdrawn,  and  the  preparation  of  the  bed  continued  as  be- 
fore directed. 

COST    OF    PREPARING    THE    BEDS. 

There  can  be  no  reliable  estimates  given  as  regards  cost 
of  preparing  Cranberry  beds,  inasmuch  as  no  two  will  be 
situated  exactly  alike.  It  will  cost  as  much  to  remove  the 
brush,  trees,  and  logs,  etc.,  from  one  piece  of  land,  as  to 
fully  prepare  another  for  the  reception  of  the  plants. 

The  estimates  vary  from  one  hundred  to  six  hundied 
dollars  per  acre. 

A  thorough  preparation  will  always  be  found  to  be  the 
cheapest  in  the  end. 

PLANTING. 

The  usual  time  of  setting  the  plants  is  in  the  spring,  but 
where  the  beds  can  be  kept  moist,  the  operation  may  be 
continued  during  the  entire  summer.  Sometimes  the  plant* 


246  SMALL   PBTTTT   CTJLTTTRIST. 

are  put  out  late  in  the  fall,  and  covered  with  a  sufficient 
depth  of  water  to  prevent  the  ground  from  freezing  and 
throwing  out  the  plants.  The  spring  and  early  summei 
are,  however,  considered  the  best  time  for  planting.  The 
plants  should  be  set  in  rows,  from  eighteen  inches  to  four 
feet  apart,  according  to  the  quantity  and  quality  of  plants 
obtained.  The  object  is  to  cover  the  entire  surface  of  the 
soil  with  vines,  so  soon  as  possible ;  consequently,  the  bet- 
ter the  plants  and  the  nearer  together  they  are  placed,  the 
sooner  will  this  be  accomplished.  When  large  plants  are 
to  be  had,  and  in  sufficient  quantities,  it  is  better  to  place 
them  about  two  feet  apart,  each  way,  than  farther,  and  if 
the  plants  do  well,  they  will  entirely  cover  the  beds  the 
second  season.  Most  of  our  larger  plantations  are  made 
with  plants  taken  directly  from  the  wild  beds,  and  they 
are  removed  iu  large  clumps  or  sods.  If  there  are  any 
weeds  or  grass  among  the  plants,  they  should  be  removed 
before  planting,  as  they  are  more  readily  separated  from 
them  at  this  time  than  after  they  are  planted. 

Small  holes  are  made  in  which  the  plants  are  set,  and 
the  soil  is  then  pressed  firmly  about  them.  If  small  plantft 
or  cuttings  are  used,  they  may  be  planted  nearer  together 
than  larger  ones. 

SELECTION    OF    PLANTS. 

It  is  important  that  plants  should  be  obtained  from 
fruitful  beds,  as  well  as  those  which  produce  the  largest 
and  best  fruit.  There  are  occasional  wild  beds  that  pro- 
duce little  or  no  fruit;  these  should  be  avoided.  When 
plants  cannot  be  obtained  near  by,  from  wild  or  cultivated 
beds,  then  they  may  be  bought  from  those  whose  business 
is  growing  plants  for  sale.  But  the  purchaser  should  en- 
deavor to  inform  himself  in  regard  to  the  reliability  of 
plant  growers  before  ordering  ;  besides  he  should  give  im- 
perative directions  that  the  plants  should  be  carefully  taken 
ap  and  not  be  allowed  to  become  dry  before  packing,  ai 


CBANKEBBY. 

as  that  the  latter  operation  should  be  performed  i* 
fhe  best  manner.  A  very  little  extra  expense  in  packing^ 
or  in  procuring  plants  of  the  best  quality,  will  often  be  re 
paid  a  hundred  fold  in  the  first  crop.  Cranberry  planta 
tions  are  expected  to  be  a  permanent  investment  which 
shall  give  annual  returns  for  a  lifetime ;  it  therefore  be- 
comes very  important  that  every  precaution  should  be 
taken  to  make  it  as  perfect  as  possible. 

CULTIVATION. 

For  the  first  two  or  three  seasons  the  beds  should  be 
carefully  cultivated,  and  no  weeds  or  sprouts  from  brush- 
roots  be  permitted  to  grow.  The  amount  of  labor  requir- 
ed is  usually  far  less  than  with  ordinary  farm  crops,  still 
a  constant  attention  is  necessary,  so  that  the  plants  shall 
have  the  full  benefit  of  the  entire  soil,  and  not  be  obliged 
to  combat  with  weeds,  grass,  or  other  impediments.  When 
the  plants  have  gained  possession  of  the  whole  surface, 
there  will  be  very  little  cultivation  required.  An  occa« 
sional  sprout  or  clump  of  grass  may  appear,  which  it  will 
be  necessary  to  remove. 

APPLYING   WATER. 

The  water  should  be  let  on  to  the  beds  at  the  approach 
of  cold  weather,  not  until  the  ground  begins  to  freeze,  but 
before  it  has  become  frozen  hard.  The  time  will  vary  in 
different  locations,  and  the  cultivator  must  apply  it  ac- 
cording to  circumstances,  and  not  be  guided  by  set  rules 
as  to  time.  The  beds  should  be  covered,  so  that  the  water 
will  be  deep  enough  to  prevent  freezing  the  plants.  At  the 
North,  it  should  be  at  least  two  feet  deep,  while  south  of  th« 
latitude  of  New  York,  one  foot  will  ordinarily  answer.  It 
should  remain  upon  the  beds  until  the  cold  weather  is  past 
in  the  spring,  when  it  should  be  drawn  off,  leaving  it  about 
two  inches  deep  over  the  surface,  until  all  danger  of  firoal 
(•past, 


248  SMALL  FBUIT  CULTUBIST. 

Where  late  spring  frosts  are  known  to  be  frequent  and 
severe,  it  is  best  to  keep  on  the  full  depth  of  water  until 
there  is  no  longer  any  risk.  The  longer  the  water  is  kept 
on,  the  later  will  the  plants  bloom. 

In  some  locations  the  plants  are  covered  for  about  four 
or  five  months  in  winter,  while  in  others,  two  or  three  will 
be  sufficient. 

There  is  no  danger  of  the  plants  being  injured  by  the 
water  so  long  as  it  remains  cool,  and  the  later  it  is  kept 
on,  the  less  the  danger  of  spring  frosts  injuring  the  flowers. 
Sometimes  it  is  beneficial  to  flow  the  beds  in  summer  at 
time  of  drouth,  but  in  such  cases  it  is  only  necessary  to 
apply  sufficient  to  give  the  soil  a  good  soaking.  If  the 
water  is  admitted  into  the  ditches  which  surround  the 
beds,  (if  they  are  not  too  large,)  it  will  be  sufficient  to 
prevent  injury  from  drouth. 

GATHERING. 

Formerly  the  berries  were  gathered  with  an  instrument 
called  a  Cranberry  rake,  but  of  late  years  this  method  has 
been  almost  entirely  abandoned,  and  hand  picking  has 
taken  its  place.  When  gathered  by  hand,  the  fruit  is  not  apt 
to  be  crushed,  besides  a  far  less  amount  of  dirt  and  leaves 
are  mixed  with  them  ;  consequently  hand-picked  fruit  will 
bring  a  much  higher  price  than  any  other.  Various  kinds 
of  baskets,  crates,  hurdles,  <fcc.,  are  used  in  gathering  the 
fruit ;  the  main  object  being  to  allow  all  foreign  materials, 
gathered  with  it,  to  fall  through  when  being  carried  in  the 
field,  or  when  spread  out  to  dry.  All  unsound  berries 
should  be  carefully  picked  out  before  the  fruit  is  packed 
for  market. 

VARIETIES. 

Like  other  fruits,  the  Cranberry  varies  considerably  in 
its  wild  state ;  besides,  when  cultivated,  new  variations  are 
constantly  occurring.  All  the  varieties  in  cultivation  al 


CRANBERRY. 


249 


Fig.  100. —CHERRY 
CRANBERRY. 


the  present  time  in  this  country,  belong  to  one  species,  tbe 
V.  macrocarpon.     These  vary  in  size,  from  a  half  inch  up 
to  an  inch  or  over  in  diameter.     Fig.   100   shows  a  variety 
usually  called  the  Cherry  Cranberry,  and 
fig.  101,   one  of  the  largest  of  the  Bell 
variety.     Fig.    102    illustrates  the  Bell 
form,  and  in  fig.   103  we  give  an  exact 
representation  of  some  remarkably  fine 
specimens,  raised  by  Mr.  Orrin  C.  Cook, 
of  South  Milford,  Mass.     There  are  many 
other  shapes  intermediate  between  these$ 
but  we  have  given  the  principal  ones. 

In  color,  the  varieties  vary  from  a  greenish-yellow  or 
white  to  dark,  rich  purple.  New  varieties  are  being  pro- 
duced, and,  doubtless,  in  a  few  years,  great  improvements 
will  be  made  in  the  size,  if  not  in  the  quality,  of  the  Cran- 
berry. 

INSECTS. 

There  appear  to  be  two  kinds  of  worms  which  infest 
the  Cranberry.  One  of  these  attacks  the  young  fruit, 
and  the  other  the  plants.  The  first  is  described  as  a  small 


Fig.  101.— BUGLE  CRANBERRY. 

worm  about  half  an  inch  in  length,  with  a  black  head ; 
the  other  is  about  the  same  length,  with  a  red  hccid. 
Although  it  is  said  that  these  worms  are  very  tiestruo* 
11 


250 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUKIST. 


tive  in  some  sections  of  the  country,  there  appears  to  be 
no  definite  information  as  to  their  origin,  period  of  life,  or 
what  kind  of  insect  produces  the  eggs 
from  which  they  are  hatched.  These 
worms  are  more  destructive  in  beds  that 
are  not  flooded  than  elsewhere.  When- 
ever the  plants  and  fruit  are  attacked,  the 
water  should  be  let  on  to  the  beds  and 
allowed  to  remain  for  six  to  twenty-four 
hours ;  this  would  doubtless  destroy  the 
worms  without  materially  injuring  the 
plants. 

The  ravages  of  the  Cranberry  worms  have  not  been  very 
extensive,  nor  very  wide  spread,  and,  although  I  have  visit- 
ed many  hundreds  of  acres  of  Cranberry  beds,  I  have  not 
as  yet  seen  one  of  these  worms ;  neither  have  I  been  able 
to  find  a  description  of  them,  or  their  scientific  names,  in 
any  work  on  entomology.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  for  the 


Fig.  102-BELL 
CRANBERRY. 


Fig.  103.—  LARGE   CRANBERRY. 

sake  of  science,  some  one  who  has  an  opportunity  will 
investigate  this  subject,  and  give  us  the  results. 


UPLAND    CULTURE. 


Although  the  cultivation  of  the  Cranberry  upon  dry  up 
land  cannot  be  recommended  as  equal  to  lowland  cultiva* 


CRANBERRY.  251 

tion,  still  it  possesses  so  much  that  is  interesting  and  advan- 
tageous that  it  deserves  the  attention  of  those  who  have 
no  other  means  of  growing  them.  Even  a  partial  success 
will  very  often  be  highly  remunerative,  besides  affording 
much  pleasure  to  the  cultivator. 

There  are  but  few  gardens  or  soils  where  the  experiment 
is  not  worth  trying  on  a  small  scale,  even  if  it  is  not  suc- 
cessful, because  the  expense  is  so  slight  that  a  total  failure 
would  be  no  great  loss  of  capital. 

A  light  sandy  or  loamy  soil,  one  that  is  naturally  moist, 
should  ba  selected,  if  convenient,  and  prepared  as  thor- 
oughly as  for  a  vegetable  garden.  If  swamp-mud  or  peat 
can  be  had,  it  is  well  to  give  a  liberal  dressing,  mixing 
it  with  the  soil ;  rake  all  level,  and  then  plant  in  rows 
about  two  feet  apart,  and  one  foot  apart  in  the  rows. 
Hoe  the  plants  as  long  as  it  can  be  conveniently  done 
without  disturbing  them,  after  which  no  cultivation  is  re- 
quired, except  to  pull  out  large  weeds  or  grass  that  may 
occasionally  appear. 

If  saw-dust  can  be  had,  it  should  be  applied  as  a  mulch; 
scattering  a  light  dressing  in  among  the  plants ;  this  will 
keep  the  soil  moist  and  assist  in  keeping  the  weeds  down. 
A  small  plot  of  three  or  four  rods  square  will,  if  they  suc- 
ceed, be  sufficient  to  supply  an  ordinary  family. 

In  addition  to  the  value  of  the  fruit,  the  Cranberry  is 
an  exceedingly  ornamental  plant  at  all  times  of  the  season, 
whether  in  fruit  or  flower.  The  variety  known  as  the  Bel] 
Cranberry  is  generally  planted  on  upland,  but  it  is  proba* 
ble  that  others,  with  proper  care,  will  succeed  equally  as 
well  There  are  a  few  cultivators  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
York  who  grow  all  of  the  improved  varieties  on  upland, 
and  claim  that  they  are  very  successful  with  them. 
Judging  from  the  fruit  that  has  been  shown  by  these  gen- 
tlemen at  our  horticultural  fairs,  the  berries  grow  to  as  large 
a  size,  if  not  in  such  large  quantities,  on  upland  as  upon 
the  low.  By  obtaining  seeds  from  these  upland  beds,  and 


252  SMALL  FRUIT  CTTLTUR1ST. 

by  producing  new  varieties  therefrom,  plants  may  be  ob 
tained  that  will  be  better  adapted  to  dry  soils  than  any 
previously  known.  It  is  certainly  worthy  of  trial,  and  I 
would  advise  all  who  have  leisure  and  inclination  to  try 
the  experiment  fully  and  thoroughly. 

PROFITS    OF    CULTURE. 

The  profits  of  Cranberry  culture,  like  those  from  other 
fruits,  depend  somewhat  upon  the  amount  of  care  given 
the  beds  as  well  as  upon  the  markets.  There  is  also  a  lia- 
bility of  failure  from  unforeseen  causes ;  still  the  Cranberry 
may  be  considered  as  certain  as  any  other  fruit.  To  make 
anything  like  a  fair  estimate  in  regard  to  profits,  we  are 
obliged  to  select  from  the  reports  of  the  various  growers 
throughout  the  country,  and  draw  our  conclusions  there- 
from. But  in  many  instances  these  are  so  vague  that  we  can 
only  approximate  to  the  truth.  I  have  inserted  a  few  of 
such  as  I  deem  reliable,  omitting  those  which  appear  to  be 
too  far  above  the  average : 

Mr.  Edmund  Bagley,  of  Massachusetts,  reports  in  the 
Journal  of  Commerce :  cost  of  land,  $12  per  acre ;  clean- 
ing, $100;  vines  and  setting,  $50;  cultivation,  $10  per 
year.  The  fourth  year,  average  crop,  300  bushels  per 
acre ;  worth  $2.50  per  bushel. 

F.  Trowbridge,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  considers  the  usual 
average  about  175  to  200  bushels  per  acre. 

Mr.  Sullivan  Bates  says,  that  on  beds  that  have  been 
carefully  prepared,  the  yield  will  be  from  150  to  400  bush- 
els per  acre. 

J.  H.  Baker,  *of  Westport,  Mass.,  reports  the  average 
crop  about  175  bushels. 

Trowbridge  and  Davis,  of  Ocean  County,  N.  J.,  report 
10  acres  in  bearing ;  crop  1,100  bushels ;  although  the 
beds  were  new,  and  have  not  arrived  at  an  age  at  whick 
a  full  crop  could  be  expected. 


CRANBERRY.  253 

At  Shamong,  N.  J.,  a  small  bed  is  reported  to  have 
yielded  220  bushels  per  acre. 

W.  R.  Braddock,  of  Bedford,  N.  J.,  lias  100  acres;  20 
acres  of  which  yielded,  last  season,  1866,  an  average  of 
100  bushels  per  acre.  The  fruit  sold  for  a  price  which  left 
him  $6,000  over  and  above  all  expenses. 

The  above  statements  are  about  a  fair  average  of  the 
various  reports  received  from  the  proprietors  of  Cranberry 
beds  in  the  Eastern  States.  The  price  of  the  fruit  varies 
from  $2.00  to  $6.00  per  bushel  It  is  probable  that  when 
the  immense  beds,  which  are  now  being  planted,  have  ar- 
rived at  full  maturity,  our  markets  will  be  fully  supplied, 
unless  some  new  way  of  disposing  of  the  fruit  is  dis- 
covered, w&ich  it  is  very  likely  will  be  the  case. 


CHAPTER   X. 


HUCKLEBERRY.— (FAMILY  ERICACEA) 

Hackleberries  were  formerly  all  included  under  tht 
genus  VacciniuM,  but  botanists  now  separate  them  into 
the  genera,  Gaylussacia  and  Vaccinium.  In  general 
appearance  they  resemble  one  another,  being  branching 
shrubs,  with  bell-shaped  or  urn-shaped  corollas  and  2- 
parted  anthers.  The  fruit  is  a  10  to  many  seeded  berry. 
The  Gaylussacias  differ  from  the  Vdcciniums  in  having 
only  one  seed  in  each  cell  of  the  fruit,  and  their  foliage  is 
often  sprinkled  with  resinous  dots.  For  our  purposes  it 
is  convenient  to  consider  them  all  under  one  head. 

The  species  best  known  in  the  United  States  as  produc- 
ing edible  fruit,  are  chiefly  deciduous  shrubs  of  medium 
size,  blooming  in  May  and  June,  and  ripening  their  fruit 
from  July  to  September. 

SPECIEa 

The  number  of  species  of  Huckleberry  is  quite  large, 
and  I  shall  only  name  a  few  of  the  best. 

Gaylussacia  frondosa.  —  Blue  Dangleberry.  —  Leaves 
obovate,  oblong,  pale  glaucous  beneath ;  branches  slender 
•mooth.  Fruit  dark  blue,  covered  with  white  bloom,  sweet 


flUCKLBBBBBY.  255 

and  edible.    Bush  grows  three  to  six  feet  high.    Found 
from  New  England  to  Virginia  in  low  grounds. 

Gt  resin  OSa, — Black  Huckleberry. — Leaves  oval  or  ob- 
long, clammy  when  young ;  plants  quite  branching,  the 
young  shoots  pubescent ;  fruit  black  without  bloom,  with 
an  agreeable  flavor ;  bush,  two  to  three  feet  high.  Com 
mon  in  swamps  and  low  grounds  at  the  North. 

Yaccinium  PennsylTanicum.  —  Dwarf  Blueberry.— 
Leaves  oblong,  sometimes  lanceolate,  smooth  and  shining } 
branches  green,  somewhat  angled,  occasionally  waity; 
bush  one  to  three  feet,  very  prolific ;  berries  blue,  ripening 
early.  The  fruit  of  this  species  is  highly  prized  on  account 
of  its  earliness,  but  it  is  not  so  agreeable  in  flavor  as  son: 
others.  Abundant  in  dry,  sandy  seasons,  from  Maryland 
northward. 

¥.  CanadCDSC.—  Canada  Blueberry. — Leaves  more  or 
less  downy,  common  in  low  grounds ;  otherwise  similar  to 
the  preceding  species. 

Yt  COrymbosum. — Swamp  Blueberry,  or  High-bush 
Huckleberry. — Leaves  oval  or  oblong,  variable  in  size  and 
color.  Shrubs  four  to  ten  feet  high,  common  in  low,  wet 
places.  Fruit  black,  covered  with  bloom,  sweet  but 
sprightly ;  the  best  Huckleberry ;  ripens  late  in  the  season, 
August  and  September. 

Fig,  104  shows  a  small  branch,  with  bunch  of  fruit  of  natu- 
ral size.  This  species  assumes  various  forms  and  colors;  some- 
times the  fruit  is  oval,  approaching  an  oblong,  while  others 
are  globular  or  slightly  compressed.  The  Black  High-bush 
Huckleberry,  as  it  is  generally  called,  is  quite  distinct,  the 
fruit  being  destitute  of  bloom  and  of  inferior  flavor.  It  is 
distinguished  by  the  name  of  V.  corymbosum,  var.  atrococ- 
iMm,  by  Dr.  Gray.  There  are  many  other  species  and  varie- 
ties growing  wild  all  over  the  country.  There  are  also 
foreign  species,  but  none  of  them  superior  to  those  named. 
I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  enter  into  any  minute  details 


256 


SMALL  FKUIT   CULTUBIST. 


Fig.  104.— SWAMP  HUCKLEBERRY. 


HUCKLEBERRY.  257 

of  the  history  or  cultivation  of  this  fruit,  from  the  fact  that 
there  is  nothing  connected  therewith  which  would  make 
the  subject  interesting.  The  Huckleberry  is  one  of  those 
fruits  which  have  always  been  neglected ;  none  of  our  horti- 
cultural writers  have  deemed  it  worthy  of  any  particular 
description,  and  but  very  few  have  thought  it  worthy  of 
mention. 

Why  this  neglect,  I  am  at  loss  to  understand,  for  the 
Huckleberry  possesses  naturally  better  qualities  than  even 
the  Currant  and  Gooseberry. 

All  of  our  northern  species  are  perfectly  hardy,  produc- 
ing no  thorns,  (which  is  such  a  disagreeable  feature  with 
many  of  our  small  fruits,)  and  the  plants  are  generally 
quite  productive. 

The  berries  are  more  firm  than  the  Raspberry,  Black- 
berry, or  Strawberry,  consequently,  will  bear  carriage 
well,  and  are  suitable  for  market. 

Thousands  of  bushels  are  annually  gathered  from  the 
woods  and  fields,  but  these  sources  of  supply  will  not  al- 
ways be  available ;  besides,  we  should  not  be  content  with 
depending  wholly  upon  nature  for  either  the  necessaries 
or  the  luxuries  of  life,  while  a  helping  hand  would  not 
only  increase  the  quantity,  but  improve  the  quality. 

Those  species,  which  naturally  grow  upon  high,  dry 
soils,  will  probably  be  the  best  for  garden  culture ;  still,  be- 
cause a  plant  is  found  in  its  wild  state  in  any  particular 
soil  or  situation,  it  does  not  follow  that  similar  circum- 
stances are  always  necessary  for  its  best  development  when 
under  cultivation.  If  nature  invariably  located  plants  un 
der  the  most  favorable  conditions  for  growth,  then  improve- 
ments would  be  less  certain  and  far  more  difficult  than 
now.  The  history  of  horticulture  affords  abundant  testi- 
mony to  the  fact  that  many  plants  succeed  far  better  in 
soils  and  locations  differing  very  materially  from  the  one 
in  which  nature  has  placed  them,  than  otherwise. 

The  Swamp  Huckleberry,  ( V.  corymbosum,)  is  some 
11* 


258  SMALL   FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 

times  found!  upon  high,  dry  soils,  although  it  grows  chiefly 
In  locations  where  the  roots  are  immersed  in  water  for  th« 
greater  portion  of  the  year.  That  it  will  grow  and  pro- 
duce fruit  upon  high  and  dry  soils,  I  have  proved  by  ex- 
periment. 

There  is  no  great  difficulty  in  removing  the  plants  from 
their  native  locality  to  the  garden,  hut  our  main  depend- 
ence for  improvement  should  be  upon  seedlings,  because 
they  will  always  vary  more  or  less  from  the  parent,  and  by 
carefully  selecting  the  best  improvements,  are  certain.  The 
seeds  are  quite  small,  and  require  considerable  care  in  sow- 
ing. 

A  good  plan  is,  to  crush  the  berries,  and  mix  them  with 
fine  sand ;  then  put  them  in  a  box  or  flower-pot,  and  bury 
in  the  open  ground  until  spring.  Prepare  a  seed-bed,  the 
toil  of  which  should  be,  at  least,  half  leaf-mould,  or  peat, 
from  a  swamp ;  the  remainder  may  be  any  good  garden 
soil.  Surround  the  bed  with  boards,  a  foot  or  more  in 
width,  miy  the  soil  thoroughly  and  rake  level,  then  sow  on 
the  sand  containing  the  seeds ;  then  sift  over  this  soil  suf- 
ficient to  cover  the  seeds,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  deep, 
give  a  good  soaking  of  water  and  place  a  screen  over  the 
frame.  It  may  be  made  of  lath,  coarse  cloth,  or  anything 
that  will  partially  shade  the  plants  when  they  come  up, 
but  not  wholly  exclude  the  light.  Keep  the  soil  well  wa- 
tered, applying  the  water  with  a  watering-pot,  or  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  seeds  or  plants  will  not  be  disturbed.  The 
seedlings  may  be  transplanted  when  one  year  old,  if  they 
hav3  made  a  good  growth,  or  remain  in  the  seed-bed  for 
two  years.  They  will  usually  come  into  bearing  in  three 
to  six  years,  at  which  time  the  best  should  be  marked,  so 
that  they  may  be  propagated.  The  inferior  kinds  may  be 
thrown  away,  or  be  reserved  for  stocks,  on  which  to  work 
the  others.  Budding  and  grafting  may  be  employed  in 
propagation,  as  well  as  layers,  the  operation  being  per- 
formed  in  the  usual  manner. 


CHAPTER    XL 


SHEPHERDIA. 

FAMILY     EL^EAGNACE^E. 

[Named  In  honor  of  John  Shepherd,  formerly  curator  of  the  Liverpool  Botania 
Garden.] 

GENEEAL    CHARACTERS. 

Deciduous  shrubs,  or  small  trees,  with  silvery  leaves ; 
flowers  dioecious,  the  sterile 
ones,  (fig.  105)  having  a  four- 
parted  calyx,  and  eight  sta- 
mens ;  the  fertile  flowers,  (fig. 
106,)  have  an  urn-shaped  ca- 
lyx, enclosing  the  ovary  which 
becomes  a  berry-like  fruit. 
Leaves  opposite,  entire,  de- 
ciduous; the  flowers  very 
small,  yellow,  borne  in  the 
axils  of  the  small  branches. 

A  very  small  family  of 
plants,  and  there  is  but  one 
species  of  this  genus  that  is 
worthy  of  being  cultivated 
for  its  fruit. 

Shepherdia  argentea, — Buffalo  Berry;  Rabbit  Berry; 
Grosse  de  Buffle,  of  the  French  ;  Uippophce  argentea,  of 
Pursh. — Leaves   oblong,   silvery-white   on    both   sides; 
259 


Fig.  105. 


Fig.  106. 


260  BMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

branches  rusty  dull  white,  with  many  small  thorn-lik« 
branchlets ;  fruit  round,  dull  red,  sprightly  acid,  agreea 
ble,  borne  in  very  compact  clusters  in  the  axils  of  the  smal. 
branches,  as  shown  in  figure  107.  Ripens  its  fruit  in  early 
autumn,  or  late  in  summer. 

Found  on  the  banks  of  the  upper  Missouri,  and  other 
large  rivers  of  the  Northwest.  It  is  seldom  seen  in  cul- 
tivation, but  it  is  really  deserving  of  a  place  in  every  gar- 
den.  The  plant  is  quite  ornamental,  in  addition  to  its  edi- 
ble fruit,  which  is  produced  abundantly.  The  plant  is  very 
hardy,  and  grows  quite  readily  in  almost  any  good  soil 
The  Shepherdia,  being  dioecious,  it  is  therefore  necessary 
to  plant  one  of  each  sex  to  obtain  fruit;  consequently, 
those  who  may  have  occasion  to  send  to  the  nurseries  for 
plants,  should  be  careful  to  order  at  least  one  of  each  kind, 
although  if  several  are  to  be  planted  in  a  group,  one  sta- 
minate  plant  will  be  sufficient  to  fertilize  a  half  dozen  or 
more  pistillate  plants. 

At  the  present  time,  the  Shepherdia  is  not  grown  as  a 
market  fruit,  but  the  time  may  come  when  we  shall  see  it 
in  our  markets,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  new  and 
improved  varieties  will  be  produced  by  some  of  our  enter- 
prising fruit  growers.  The  thorn-like  character  of  its 
small  branchlets  makes  it  a  suitable  plant  for  ornamental 
hedges,  and  very  probably  it  would  be  equally  serviceable 
as  the  Buck-thorn  and  other  similar  plants,  for  turning 
cattle.  It  is  well  worthy  of  trial,  and  up  to  the  present 
time  I  am  not  aware  that  it  has  been  subject  to  disease,  or 
attacked  by  any  insect. 

PROPAGATION. 

Gather  the  berries  when  ripe,  crush  the  pulp,  and 
wash  out  the  seeds ;  then  sow  them,  or  preserve  in  sand, 
until  the  ensuing  spring.  The  best  method  is,  to  sow  the 
seeds  in  drills  soon  after  they  are  gathered,  covering  an 
inch  or  two  deep.  Transplant  when  one  year  old  into 


SHEPHERDIA. 


261 


Fig.  107.— ™UIT   OF   SHEPHKKDIA, 


263  SMALL   FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

nursery  rows,  placing  the  plants  a  foot  apart  in  the  row 
and  the  rows  four  feet  apart.  They  will  usually  bloom  the 
third  year  from  seed,  at  which  time  every  plant  should  be 
examined,  and  a  label  attached  to  each  with  the  word 
staminate  or  pistillate,  as  the  case  may  be,  written  upon 
each;  common  wooden  labels,  such  as  used  by  nurserymen, 
freshly  painted  at  the  time,  will  remain  legible  for  two  or 
three  years.  If  it  is  more  convenient  to  have  the  plants 
separated  than  to  keep  each  one  labeled,  then  they  may  be 
taken  up  after  the  sexes  are  determined,  and  each  kind 
placed  in  a  row  by  itself. 

The  Shepherdias  produce  very  few  suckers,  but  when 
any  appear,  they  may  be  taken  off  and  planted  separately 
Layers  root  very  readily,  and  plants  may  be  produced  in 
this  manner  quite  rapidly. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  ripe  wood  cuttings  will  grow 
the  same  as  the  Currant,  but  I  have  never  had  occasion  to 
try  this  mode  of  propagation,  because  they  grow  so  readily 
from  seed  that  I  have  practiced  this  method  in  preference 
to  others.  Besides,  there  is  always  a  chance,  when  grow- 
ing any  kind  of  fruit  from  seed,  of  producing  something 
better  than  the  original,  consequently,  the  very  uncertainty 
becomes  fascinating  to  the  true  lover  of  horticulture,  and 
the  hope  of  the  thing  lightens  the  otherwise  irksomeness 
of  the  task. 

There  is  another  species  of  Shepherdia  found  in  the 
Northern  States,  the  fruit  of  which  is  very  insipid.  I 
copy  the  description  from  Gray's  Manual  of  Botany : 

Shepherdia  Canadensis.  —  Canadian  Shepherdia.  — - 
"  Leaves  elliptical  or  ovate,  nearly  naked  and  green 
above,  silvery-downy,  and  scurfy  with  rusty  scales  under- 
neath ;  fruit  yellowish-red ;  rocky  or  gravelly  banks ;  Ver- 
mont to  Wisconsin,  and  northward.  A  straggling  shrub, 
three  to  six  feet  high ;  the  branchlets,  young  leaves,  yel. 
lowish  flowers  etc.,  covered  with  the  rusty  scales.  Fruit 
Insipid." 


CHAPTER  XII. 


PREPARATION  FOR  GATHERING  FRUIT. 

To  grow  a  crop  of  fruit  is  but  the  initial  step  towards 
the  successful  termination  of  the  enterprise. 

If  the  fruit  is  to  be  sent  to  market,  then  crates,  baskets, 
etc.,  are  necessary  for  gathering  and  transporting,  all  of 
which  should  be  provided  in  advance  of  the  ripening  of 
the  crop.  The  number  of  baskets  required  per  acre  can- 
not be  given,  inasmuch  as  the  product  will  not  be  the 
same  in  any  two  seasons,  but  it  is  always  best  to  provide 
enough,  for  if  the  supply  should  fall  short  in  the  busy  part 
of  the  season,  it  might  cause  considerable  loss. 

We  will  suppose  that  a  grower  expects  to  send  a  thous- 
and baskets  per  day  to  market,  during  the  season,  of  any 
particular  kind  of  small  fruit,  and  if  he  sends  them  by 
tailroad  or  steamboat,  to  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  or 
more,  he  must  not  expect  to  have  any  baskets  or  crates 
returned  in  less  time  than  six  to  ten  days  after  the  time 
of  the  first  shipment,  unless  he  has  better  success  than 
usual  with  fruit  growers  in  this  vicinity;  consequently 
he  will  have  to  provide  six  to  ten  thousand  baskets  to  en- 
able him  continue  gathering. 

Sometimes,  owing  to  the  negligence  of  the  commission 
merchant,  no  baskets  will  be  returned  for  two  or  three 
263 


264  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTUBIST. 

weeks,  and  a  very  large  extra  supply  of  baskets  will  be 
necessary  to  prevent  a  corresponding  loss. 

Ten  thousand  baskets,  with  a  corresponding  number  of 
crates,  should  be  provided,  if  a  thousand  baskets  are  to  be 
picked  per  day. 

To  the  inexperienced  in  these  matters,  this  may  seem 
to  be  an  unnecessary  outlay,  but  fruit  growers  in  the  East- 
ern States,  at  least,  have  learned  that  a  little,  or  consider- 
able, extra  capital  invested  in  baskets  will  quite  often 
insure  them  against  great  losses. 

Any  one  who  has  ever  looked  through  the  New  York 
markets,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Strawberry  season, 
must  have  noticed  thousands  of  baskets  and  crates  lying 
around  loose,  or  being  piled  up  in  the  streets,  where  the 
boys  make  bonfires  of  them  at  night,  and  thus  the  prop- 
erty of  the  fruit  grower  is  often  destroyed  through  the 
willful  neglect  of  those  to  whom  the  fruit  was  consigned. 

Many  remedies  have  been  tried  to  prevent  this  waste, 
but  none  have  been  entirely  successful,  unless  it  be  that 
of  sending  very  cheap  baskets  and  crates,  which  it  is  not 
expected  will  be  returned.  Many  fruit  growers  are  adopt- 
ing this  give  away  system,  and  under  some  circumstances 
it  is  probably  the  best,  but  under  others  it  is  doubtful  if 
it  is  the  most  profitable  in  the  end. 

An  attractive  exterior  is  a  good  passport,  even  in  the 
fruit  line,  and  I  know  of  many  instances  where  fruit  put 
up  in  handsome  baskets,  and  enclosed  in  extra  finished 
crates,  has  sold  for  almost  double  the  price  of  that  sent 
to  market  in  an  inferior  style  of  crate  and  basket. 

Many  instances  might  be  given  in  which  neat,  clean 
packages  and  carefully  selected  fruit,  have  well  paid  the 
grower  for  all  his  extra  trouble  and  expense  in  sending  it 
to  market.  If  a  man  desires  to  secure  a  good  reputation 
for  the  products  of  his  garden  and  farm,  he  will  see  to  it 
that  they  leave  his  premises  in  the  best  possible  order, 
and  be  sure  to  put  his  name  on  each  crate  or  other  pack- 


PBEPARATIOtf  K)E  GATHERING  fEUIT. 


age.  Competition  has  become  so  great  within  the  past 
ten  years,  that  the  cultivators  of  berries  are  compelled  to 
exercise  more  care  than  formerly  in  selecting  both  fruit 
and  packages,  as  buyers  are  now  more  critical  and  par- 
ticular as  they  gain  experience.  The  old  trays,  each  hold- 
ing several  quarts  of  berries,  and  from  which  the  fruit 
was  measured  out  to  customers,  are  no  longer  seen  in 
our  markets,  except  for  some  hard  kinds  like  the  Huckle- 
berry, and  even  for  these  this  dishing-out  system  is  very 
objectionable,  to  say  the  least.  Of  late  years  large  quan- 
tities of  the  small  fruits  come  to  our  northern  markets 
from  the  South.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  Straw- 
berries, for  increased  facilities  in  the  way  of  rapid  transit 
by  steamboats  and  railroads,  with  refrigerators  on  both, 
have  now  made  the  shipping  of  perishable  fruits  possible 
when  it  would  not  have  been  thought  of  a  score  of  years 
ago.  The  trade  in  such  articles  will  no  doubt  increase  in 
years  to  come,  and  growers  will  need  new  styles  of  baskets 
and  crates,  or  those  better  adapted  to  the  purpose  than 
any  now  in  common  use.  But  whatever  kind  of  pack- 
age is  used,  the  grower  will  ever  need  to  exercise  great 
care  in  gathering  and  assorting  his  fruit.  If  his  pickers 
are  not  instructed  in  regard  to  picking  the  berries  in  the 
best  condition  to  stand  the  journey,  the  good  may  be  in- 
jured by  the  poor,  for  half  a  dozen  over-ripe  berries  in  a 
basket  are  very  likely  to  damage  the  entire  lot.  Green 
berries  should  also  be  avoided,  but  a  few  of  these  can 
be  better  tolerated  than  those  that  have  become  soft  and 
oommenced  to  decay.  The  topping  out  of  the  baskets 
with  a  few  of  the  choicest  and  largest  berries  is  an  almost 
universal  practice,  and  while  in  the  abstract  it  might  bo 
called  dishonest,  still  it  is  such  a  universal  custom  that 
no  one  is  deceived.  It's  merely  putting  the  best  side  out 
to  attract  the  buyer. 

Crates  and  baskets  are  in  some  cases  returned  free  by 
the  railroad  and  steamboat  companies,  unless  the  distance 


366 


SMALL  FRUIT  CULTTJRIST. 


to  market  is  too  great ;  under  such  circumstances  it  is 
best  not  to  expect  it,  but  rather  to  ship  the  fruit  in  cheap 
baskets,  unless  it  will  bring  enough  more  to  pay  for  pack- 
ing in  a  better  style. 

The  tendency  of  late  years  is  to  let  the  basket  or  box 
go  with  the  fruit  to  the  purchaser,  and  it  is  really  the 
better  plan,  because  after  a  box  or  basket  has  been  once 
used  for  berries,  it  is  usually  badly  stained,  and  really 
unfit  for  further  use.  There  are  thousands  of  men  in  our 
cities  who  will  stop  at  the  market  or  fruit  stands,  and 
purchase  a  few  quarts  of  berries  on  their  way  home  in 
the  evening,  if  sold  boxes  and  all,  but  if  required  to  re- 
turn the  packages,  or  compelled  to  furnish  some  con- 
venient vessel  for  carrying  the  fruit,  they  would  pass  by 
without  purchasing.  For  these  and  other  reasons  whicr 
might  be  given,  the  grower  will  find  it  for  his  own  inter 

est  to  use  what  are  termed  thf 
gift  box  or  basket  wheneve 
possible.  The  grape  growers 
have,  of  late  years,  adopted 
the  free  box,  and  their  sales, 
as  a  result,  have  greatly  in- 
creased, and  without  lessen- 
ing their  profits. 

The  most  common  basket 
used  for  the  New  York  mar- 
ket is  what  is  called  the  Jer- 
sey Strawberry  basket,  figure 
108 ;  it  requires  from  five  to 
seven  to  hold  a  quart.  Of 
late  years  this  basket  is  less 

Fig.  108. — JERSEY  BA.SKET.  i      j_i  _c  i 

used   than    formerly,   except 

for  the  smaller  varieties  of  the  Strawberry.  They  are 
usually  made  by  the  fruit  growers  themselves  in  winter, 
but  sometimes  they  are  made  for  sale,  and  the  price  varies 
from  ten  dollars  to  fifteen  dollars  per  thousand.  A  half 


PREPARATION  FOR   GATHERING   FRUIT.  267 

dozen  of  the  larger  varieties  of  Strawberries  will  fill  one 
of  these  Jersey  baskets. 

The  Easpberry  baskets  formerly  used  in  New  York 
State,  were  mainly  of  this  style,  but  a  little  larger  ;  other 
kinds  of  baskets  are  now  rapidly  coming  into  use,  and  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  our  small  fruits  will  soon  all  be  sold 
by  measure,  and  not  by  the  basket,  regardless  of  its  size, 
whether  it  be  the  size  of  a  thimble,  or  will  hold  a  half 
pint  or  pint,  as  formerly. 

Baskets  or  boxes  holding  a  pint  or  quart,  full  measure, 
are  most  in  vogue  at  the  present  time,  and  new  patterns 
are  constantly  being  brought  forward,  each  claiming  to  be 
an  improvement  upon  its  immediate  predecessor. 

With  most  of  the  small  fruits  ventilation  is  requisite  to 
preservation  for  even  a  very  short  time,  and  this  very 
essential  point  has  not  been  lost  sight  of  by  the  manufac- 
turers of  most  of  the  new  boxes  or  baskets  now  before 
the  public. 

When  fruit  is  only  to  be  transported  a  short  distance, 
and  will  reach  the  consumer  within  twelve  or  fifteen  hours 
after  being  gathered,  ventilation,  farther  than  that  which 
it  will  receive  through  an  open  crate,  is  not  very  import- 
ant, or  scarcely  necessary. 

The  idea  of  ventilation  applied  to  baskets  or  boxes  is  a. 
good  one,  particularly  for  some  kinds  of  fruit,  but  there 
is  no  necessity  of  carrying  it  to  extremes,  so  that  the  ves- 
sels made  for  holding  fruit  are  scarcely  more  than  fragile 
wooden  nets. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  most  popular  baskets 
LOW  in  use  at  the  East : 

American    Basket. 

This  basket  is  made  of  two  sizes,  quarts  and  pints,  and 
of  the  form  shown  in  figure  109.  They  are  very  strong, 
of  neat  appearance,  and  one  of  the  best  baskets  with 


268 


SMALL  FRUIT  CTTLTtJBIST. 


which  I  am  acquainted.     Their  peculiar  form  admits  of 
their     being    very     compactly 
nested    for  transportation,    as 
shown  in  figure  110. 

The  manufacturers  also  fur- 
nish crates  to  those  who  desire 
them.  A  thirty-two  quart  crate 
is  shown  in  figure  111,  each 
one  being  furnished  with  lock 


Fig.  109.— AMERICAN  BASKET. 


Fig.  110. — STACK  OF  BASKETS. 


attached  wr'th  a  small  chain.     The  fruit  grower  keeps  a 
key  *c  lock  the  crate,  and  the  one  to  whom  the  fruit  is 


Fig.  111.— CRATE   OF   AMERICAN   BASKETS. 

consigned,  has  a  duplicate,  with  which  to  open  it  when 
received. 

Halloek    Fruit    Box. 

A  square  box,  figure  112,  made  of  thin,  light  wood, 


PKEPABATIOK  FOK  GATHBBIKG  FEUIT. 


269 


Fig.   112.— HAiLOCK  FEUIT  BOX. 


with  holes  bored  in  the  sides  for  ventilation,  as  shown. 
The  bottom  is  set  within  the  sides,  and  about  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  above  the  lower 
edge,  so  that  when  one  box  is 
set  in  the  crate  above  the 
other,  there  will  be  a  small 
space  between  the  fruit  of  the 
lower  one  and  the  bottom  of 
the  one  above.  This  also  ad- 
mits of  each  box  being  filled 
a  little  more  than  even  full, 
and  still  the  fruit  will  not  be  crushed  by  the  one  above  it. 
These  boxes  are  used  in  large  quantities  at  the  West, 
also  considerably  in  some  portions  of  the  East.  Some 
fruit  growers  object  to  any  box  or  basket  with  perpen- 
icular  sides,  because  the  fruit  will  settle  more  in  carrying 
than  when  the  sides  slope,  as  in  the  American  basket. 
Theie  are  advantages  in  both  forms,  also  disadvantages. 
A.  square  box,  with  perpendicular  sides,  packs  and  remain? 
more  firmly  in  its  place  than  any  other,  but  ventilation 
through  the  sides  cannot  be  obtained,  and  the  fruit  will 
crush  more  readily  than  in  boxes  with  sloping  sides. 

Free    Fruit    Box* 

Figure  113.     As  its  name  implies,  this  box  is  intended 


Fig.  113.— FREE  FRUIT  BOX. 

to  be  given  away  with  the  fruit.     This  will  be  quite  con- 
venient for  those  who  forget  to  take  a  basket  with  them 


270 


SMALL  FKUIT  CULTUEIST. 


in  the  morning  when  going  to  business,  and  thereby  have 
a  very  plausible  excuse  for  not  bringing 
home  some  fruit  for  tea.  This  box  was 
invented  for  the  purpose  of  relieving 
fruit  growers  of  one  of  the  most  annoy- 
ing incidents  of  sending  their  fruit  a  long 
distance  to  market — the  necessity  of  hav- 
ing their  crates  and  boxes  returned  to 
them.  It  supplies  a  want  which  has 
always  existed  in  the  berry  trade,  and 
will  be  sold  so  cheap  that  it  can  be  given 
away  with  the  fruit.  In  appearance,  it 
is  remarkably  neat,  light,  but  substantial, 
while  the  fruit  will  always  go  to  market 
in  a  perfectly  clean  box.  Though  given 
away,  it  will  save  the  grower  money, 
enable  him  to  get  a  better  price  for  his 
fruit,  and  put  an  end  to  the  annual  loss 
of  boxes,  besides  saving  him  the  neces- 
sity of  keeping  a  vast  quantity  of  the 
boxes  and  crates  on  hand  to  provide  for 
the  delay  of  returning  them. 

The  box  is  composed  of  two  pieces  of 
veneer.  Figure  114  represents  a  piece 
which  is  folded  up  into  four  sides  of  the 
box.  It  is  scored  or  cut  at  the  dotted 
lines,  so  that  it  can  be  folded  up  into 
a  shell  as  readily  as  a  piece  of  paste- 
board. The  tongue,  at  the  left-hand 
end,  buckles  into  the  two  slots  at  the 
right-hand  end,  just  like  closing  a  pocket 
book.  A  notch  on  the  end  of  the  tongue 
catches  so  effectually,  after  being  buckled 
in,  as  to  hold  the  shell  firmly  together. 

The  bottom  is  shown  in  figure  115. 
The  two  tongues  at  the  end  are  alsp 


.  114. —SIDE  OF 
FRUIT  BOX. 


PREPARATION   FOR   GATHERING   FRUIT.  271 

scored  or  cut  at  the  dotted  lines,  and  being  readily  turned 
up,  are  buckled  into  the  two  sets  of  slots  shown  on  the 
left-hand  edge  of  figure  114.  When  thus  buckled  to- 
gether, the  two 
pieces  form  a 
perfect  box,  as 
seen  in  figure 
113,  neither 
nails  nor  glue 
being  required, 


Fig.  115.— BOTTOM  OF  BOX.  and     the     Whole 

constituting  a  strong  and  beautiful  box.  The  "bottom 
cannot  fall  out,  as  it  is  firmly  held  in  its  place  by  the 
spring  of  the  wood.  The  prominent  advantages  secured 
by  the  use  of  this  box  are  as  follows  : 

1.  The   great  desideratum  of  a  box  always  nice  and 
cleanly  is,  for  the  first  time,  secured. 

2.  The  commission  agent  being  relieved  from  the  great 
annoyance  of  hunting  up  and  returning  crates  and  boxes, 
as  well  as  escaping  the  loss  of  them,  will  sell  the  fruit  i'or 
much  less  than  the  usual  commission. 

3.  The  return  freight  of  empty  boxes  is  saved,  and  this, 
added  to  the  saving  in  commission,  will  more  than  pay 
for  the  cost  of  crates  and  boxes. 

4.  Another  saving  is  secured  in  sending  to  market,  as 
one  hundred  of  the  Free  boxes,  quart  measures,  weigh 
only  nine  and  one-third  pounds,  while  one  hundred  of  the 
old  square  quarts  weigh  fifty  pounds.     As  fruit  in  crates 
goes  to  market  by  weight,  the  new  box  saves  eighty  per 
cent  of  the  weight.     Any  one  can  readily  satisfy  himself 
by  a  calculation  of  what  is  thus  saved  in  freight  to  market, 
commission,  and  return  of  empty  crate,  that  he  will  really 
save  money  by  using  a  box  that  he  can  give  away.    It  will 
be  found  cheaper  to  use  a  box  only  once  than  to  continue 
using  it  many  times. 

5.  As  these  boxes  are  put  together  without  nails  or 


272 


SMALL  FKUIT  CULTURIST. 


glue,  they  can  be  sent  to  distant  growers,  in  the  shape  of 
flats,  to  be  made  up  by  children  at  odd  times  during  the 
winter.  The  flats  are  scored  ready  for  folding  up,  and  as 
tbQ  wood  bends  at  the  joint  without  breaking,  a  small 

girl  will  learn  in  five  min- 
utes how  to  put  them  to- 
gether. Many  hundred  box- 
es thus  packed  as  flats  can 
be  got  into  a  small  com- 
pass, and  at  trifling  cost  of 
freight." 

Square    Chip   Basket. 

Figure  116.  Here  we  have 
an  improvement  on  the 
Fig.  116.— SQUARE  CHIP  BASKET,  common  JeYSQj  basket.  The 
slats  are  reversed,  the  wide  one  passing  around  the  basket, 
and  the  small  ones  forming  the  uprights,  thereby  giving 
a  comparatively  smooth  surface,  allowing  the  baskets  to 
be  lifted  out  or  put  back  into  place  in  the  crates,  without 
catching  upon  those  adjoining,  and  upsetting  them,  as  is 
often  the  case  with  the  common  one.  These  baskets  are 
made  square,  consequently  packed  very  closely  together, 
leaving  no  vacant  spaces  between  them.  An  excellent 
basket  for  Kaspberries. 

Gothic    Free    Fruit    Box. 

This  box  is  intended  to  be  given 
away  with  the  fruit.  They  are  of 
an  octagon  shape,  as  shown  in 
figure  117,  made  of  veneer,  and 
can  be  sent  in  flats  and  put  to- 
gether by  the  fruit  grower,  thus 
saving  much  expense  in  trans- 
portation. The  material,  all  ready  to  be  put  together, 
costs  ten  dollars  per  thousand. 


Fig.  117.— GOTHIC  FREE 
FRUIT  BOX. 


PREPARATION   FOR   GATHERING   FRUIT. 


273 


Cook's    Basket. 

This  is  a  very  neat  and  pretty  basket,  very  strong 
durable.  Some  of  our  fruit  grow- 
ers object  to  it  on  account  of  the 
small  strips  of  which  it  is  made,  be- 
cause, as  the  berries  settle,  they  are 
injured,  by  being  cut  by  the  sharp 
edges.  It  is,  however,  an  excellent 
basket,  but  probably  on  account  of 
its  cost  is  seldom,  of  late  years, 
Been  in  our  markets.  Fi& 118.— COOK'S  BASKET. 

The    Paragon    Basket. 

Figure  119.  Another  neat,  light  box,  of  more  recent 
introduction  than  the  above,  and  much  liked  by  the  com- 
mission men.  Three  strips  of  thin  whitewood  form  the 
bottom  and  sides  of  the  basket ;  the  bottom  hoop  is  dis* 


Fig.  119. — PARAGON  BASKET. 

pensed  with,  as  well  as  the  extra  bottom  piece.  There  is 
ample  provision  for  ventilation,  and  the  shape  of  the  top 
is  round,  thus  enabling  the  fruit  to  show  at  its  best. 

Belgian    Strawberry   Basket. 

This  basket,  figure  120,  would  probably  not  suit  our 
American  way  of  doing  things,  and  is  merely  introduced 
to  show  "how  they  do  it  in  Belgium."  A  correspondent 
of  the  "  American  Agriculturist,"  from  which  the  ac- 


274  SMALL  FKUIT  CULTUKIST. 

companying  illustration  is  taken,  writes  :  "  In  travelling 
through  Belgium,  in  June,  Strawberries  are  brought  to 
the  car  windows  at  every  station — luscious,  great  berries, 
some  red,  some  white,  often  as  large  as  a  pullet's  egg,  and 
temptingly  displayed  in  shallow  baskets,  made  of  split 
willow,  in  the  form  given  in  the  engraving.  The  con- 
struction is  simple,  strong,  and  inexpensive.  A  single 
willow  withe  forms  the  handle  and  middle  support  of  the 


Fig.  120. — BELGIAN  STRAWBERRY  BASKET. 

bottom  ;  a  second  withe,  bent  to  a  circle,  forms  the  rim  ; 
and  four  others,  i.  e.,  two  on  either  side,  between  the 
middle  piece  and  rim,  complete  the  foundation  into  whicb 
thin  strips  are  braided.  The  depth  is  only  a  quarter  inch, 
diameter  three  inches.  On  the  bottom  are  a  few  fresh 
grape  leaves,  on  which  are  placed  the  berries,  nearly  all 
exposed  to  view." 

Guernsey    Fruit    Box. 

This  is  a  round  box,  figure  121,  made  of  thin  veneer 
and  reversible,  as  either  end  may  be  used  as  the  cover, 


PREPARATION  FOR  GATHERING  FRUIT. 


275 


there  being  a  thin  band  within  which  holds  both  ends  to- 
gether. This  box  would  answer  better  for  Currants  and 
Gooseberries,  than  for  Raspberries  and  similar  fruit,  as  it 


Fig.  121. — GUERNSEY  BOX. 


Fig.  122.— JOHNSTON'S  CASE. 


is  not  ventilated  ;   but  ventilation  might  be  given  by 
boring  holes  through  one  end. 


n's    Premium   Fruit    Case 

Is  made  up  of  four  trays  seventeen  inches  wide,  twenty- 
three  inches  long,  and  three  inches  deep,  holding  a  little 
over  one  half  bushel  ;  side  pieces,  1,  in  figure  122,  half 
inch  thick,  three  inches  wide,  twenty-three  inches  long  ; 
ends,  2,  three-eighths  of  an  inch  thick,  three  inches 
wide,  and  nineteen  and  a  half  inches  long  ;  bottoms  of 
three  upper  trays  half  inch  thick  ;  standards,  5,  two 
inches  by  three-quarters  by  fifteen  ;  cover  cleats,  6,  two 
inches  by  three-quarters  by  eighteen  ;  tops,  4,  twenty- 
four  inches  by  six  by  three-eighths  ;  handles,  2,  twenty- 
three  inches  by  two  by  five-eighths  ;  bot- 
toms of  case  twenty-four  inches  by  six  by 
half  ;  the  bottom  tray  is  made  of  heavier 
stuff,  sides,  4,  in  figure  123,  five-eighths  of 
an  inch  thick,  end  one  and  a  half  inch  thick 
and  sides  are  let  into  the  ends,  as  seen  in 
1  ;  this  tends  to  strengthen  the  standard,  2, 
which  is  firmly  nailed  to  both  side  and  end  pieces. 
The  trays  are  separated  by  slats  three-eighths  of  an 


Fig.  123. 


276 


SMALL  FRUIT  CULTTJRIST. 


inch  by  two  inches,  with  the  ends  projecting  about 
half  an  inch,  as  seen  in  figure  122.  The  cover  has  also  a 
narrow  slat  at  each  end.  The  cover  is  fastened  by  bend- 
ing a  piece  of  hoop  iron  around  the  standard,  and  fasten- 
ing it  to  both  sides  of  the  cover  cleats  with  screws,  and  a 
spring  made  of  the  same  is  attached  to  the  inside  edge 
of  the  standard,  runs  up  through,  and  hooks  over  the 
band  of  hoop  iron,  the  standard  being  sawed  out  to  admit 
of  working  the  spring,  as  seen  in  figure  122. 

Care  should  be  taken  to  make  the  trays  all  square,  and 
the  covers  all  alike,  so  that  each  will  fit  in  any  case.  In 
order  to  have  the  standards  all  alike,  the  handles  should 
not  be  put  on  until  after  the  covers  are.  In  getting  out 
a  bill  of  material,  have  it  sawed  in  planks  at  the  saw  mill, 
as  thick  as  you  want  the  pieces  wide,  and  have  it  worked 
up  by  circular  saw. 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  style  of  case  is  in  use  at  the 
East,  but  it  is  a  western  invention,  and  used  by  growers 
in  that  section. 

Smith's    Grape    Box. 

Though  made  with  reference  to  packing  grapes,  this 

box   will    answer 
for  Currants, 
Gooseberries,  and 
that 


those  fruits 
do  not  especially 
need  ventilation. 
The  sides  of  this 
box  are  made  of 
veneer,  cut  partly 
through  at  the 
edges  where  it 
bends  over  the 
end  pieces,  which  are  thick  enough  to  allow  the  sides  to 
be  nailed  to  them.  The  cover  fastens  down  by  tacking 


.  134.— SMITH'S  GRAPE  BOX. 


PREPARATION  FOE  GATHERING  FRUIT.  277 

the  flap  to  the  ends.  They  are  made  with  the  sides,  top, 
and  bottom,  all  in  one  piece,  as  shown  in  figure  124,  or 
with  these  in  two  pieces,  so  that  it  is  reversible  and  may 
be  opened  at  either  top  or  bottom. 

New  styles  of  baskets  are  being  brought  out  every  sea- 
son, but  they  can  scarcely  be  called  improvements  upon 
the  old  ones. 

GATHERING  FRUIT. 

In  sections  where  the  small  fruits  are  grown  extensive- 
ly, women  and  children  are  chiefly  employed  to  gather 
them,  being  paid  so  much  per  basket. 

The  small  Jersey  Strawberries  are  generally  pulled,  as 
it  is  called,  or  separated  from  the  calyx,  or  hull,  when 
picked;  with  the  larger  kinds  it  is  left  on.  The  price 
paid  for  picking  varies  from  seventy-five  cents  to  one  dol- 
lar twenty-five  cents  per  hundred  for  the  small  baskets, 
and  three  to  five  cents  per  quart  for  the  larger  Strawber- 
ries, Easpberries,  and  Blackberries.  At  these  prices,  an 
expert  hand  will  make  two  to  three  dollars  per  day  where 
the  fruit  is  abundant. 

The  fruit  should  always  be  gathered  in  dry  weather, 
and  none  should  be  picked  in  the  morning  while  the  dew 
is  on. 

The  usual  method  practised  in  the  larger  plantations 
is  something  like  the  following  : 

A  tent  or  temporary  shed  is  erected  in  or  near  the  field 
in  which  the  fruit  is  grown,  and  the  superintendent  re- 
mains in  this  and  takes  charge  of  the  fruit  as  it  is  brought 
in,  giving  each  picker  a  ticket,  stating  the  number  of 
baskets  brought  in.  When  one  or  two  hundred  baskets  are 
gathered,  then  the  small  tickets  are  taken  up  and  a  large 
one  given,  on  which  is  printed  good  for  one,  two,  or  more 
dollars,  as  the  case  may  be.  These  tickets  are  redeemed  at 
the  end  of  the  week,  provided  the  holder  retains  them 
until  that  timo;  but  with  some  a  week  is  a  very  long 


278  SMALL    FRUIT  CULTURIST. 

time  to  keep  a  promise  to  pay,  and  they  sell  them.  In 
some  portions  of  New  Jersey,  and  perhaps  elsewhere, 
these  tickets  pass  current  at  the  stores  in  the  vicinity, 
and  the  merchants  take  them  in  exchange  for  goods, 
and  when  the  season  is  over,  present  them  to  the  proper 
persons  for  redemption. 

At  the  time  of    gathering,  each  picker  is  furnished 
with  a  stand  (figure   125),  holding  ten  to   twenty-five 

baskets.  When 
all  are  filled,  they 
are  carried  to  the 
tent  and  put  into 
the  crates,  ready 
for  sending  to 
market.  The  small 


>•  !*-"««•  *™-  Jersey  baskets  are 

put  into  crates  holding  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to 
two  hundred  each,  but  when  pint  and  quart  baskets  are 
used,  from  thirty  to  sixty  go  in  a  crate. 

The  pickers  have  to  conform  to  certain  rules  promul- 
gated by  the  nabob  of  the  tent,  for  there  must  be  disci- 
pline and  system  observed  in  fruit  gathering,  as  in  every 
other  business,  to  produce  the  best  result.  No  picker 
must  be  allowed  to  encroach  upon  his  neighbor,  and  when 
a  row  or  bed  is  selected  at  the  start,  it  must  be  retained 
until  all  the  fruit  for  that  time  is  gathered.  The  next 
bed  or  row  must  be  taken  by  lot  —  and  no  dodging  because 
it  happens  to  be  a  poor  one. 

The  time  of  the  vintage  is  one  of  rejoicing  in  the  vine 
countries  of  Europe,  and  equally  so  is  the  time  of  gather- 
ing  the  small  fruits  in  America.  Good  feelings  prevail 
on  all  sides,  and  particularly  if  the  crop  is  abundant,  for 
both  employer  and  the  employed  are  abundantly  rewarded 
for  their  labor. 


APPENDIX. 


ADDITIONAL  VARITIES. 

The  varieties  of  the  different  species  and  families  o! 
berries  described  and  noticed  in  the  following  pages,  have 
mostly  been  introduced  since  the  revision  of  this  work  in 
1881,  and  while  it  is  scarcely  \  robable  that  they  are  all 
superior,  or  even  equal  in  value,  to  the  best  of  the  older 
and  better  known  varieties,  still,  there  are  no  doubt  a 
few  among  them  which  will  prove  to  be  very  acceptable 
acquisitions  of  their  kind.  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity 
of  testing  all  of  these  new  varieties ;  in  fact,  some  of 
them  have  not  as  yet  been  fruited  outside  of  the  gardens 
of  their  originators  ;  consequently  in  referring  to  their 
merits,  I  am  compelled,  in  some  instances,  to  accept  what 
others  say  of  them,  instead  of  giving  the  results  of  my 
own  personal  investigations  and  observations. 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Atlantic. — Berry  medium,  conical,  of  a  rich,  glossy, 
crimson  color  ;  flesh  very  firm.  A  poor  grower,  only 
moderately  productive,  and  ripening  late  in  the  season. 

Belmonti — A  new  and  very  promising  variety  with 
oblong  berries,  of  a  dark  crimson  color,  very  firm  and 
high  flavor.  Plants  very  productive  and  of  vigorous 
growth. 

Bubach,  No.  5,  (Pistillate.} — A  remarkable,  vigorous 
growing  variety  with  imperfect  or  pistillate  flowers.  Fruit 
large  and  handsome,  but  too  soft  for  market ;  not  wort^ 
cultivating,  as  we  hav*.  many  far  better  varieties  with 
perfect  flowers. 


280  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

Cohanzick. — A  chance  seedling  found  in  a  flower  bed 
in  Bridgeton,  N.  J.  It  is  described  by  its  introducer  as 
a  dark  crimson  berry,  very  glossy,  medium  to  large,  with 
firm  flesh  ;  very  productive. 

Cornelia.  (Pistillate.) — A  very  large  late  variety, 
usually  unproductive,  probably  in  consequence  of  im- 
psrfect  fertilization  of  the  flowers,  these  appearing  after 
the  more  vigorous  of  the  pollen-bearing  varieties  have 
gone  out  of  bloom. 

Connecticut  Queen. — A  new  variety,  highly  praised 
by  some  growers,  and  co  fcdemned  by  others.  It  is  said 
to  be  of  excellent  quality,  ripening  late,  but  the  berries 
are  very  unattractive  in  appearance. 

Crimson  Cluster.  (Pistillate.)— One  of  Mr.  E.  W. 
Durand's  many  seedlings,  and  only  disseminated  last 
season,  1886.  It  is  described  by  its  originator  as  being 
"wonderfully  productive,"  and  the  fruit  of  the  richest 
crimson  color,  in  immense  clusters,  hence  its  name.  Fruit 
of  excellent  quality,  very  large,  commencing  to  ripen 
early  and  continuing  very  late. 

Daisy. — This  is  said  to  succeed  well  in  the  "West,  but 
the  foliage  burns  badly  in  the  East.  Scarcely  worth 
cultivating. 

Daniel  Boon.  (Pistillate.) — Large,  elongated-conical 
with  slight  neck,  sometimes  broadly-conical ;  bright  red, 
firm  and  good  quality.  Succeeds  well  in  some  soils,  and 
the  plants  are  prolific,  but  in  others  the  leaves  burn 
badly,  and  it  is  worthless. 

Dollar. — Large,  roundish-conical,  of  a  bright,  glossy, 
light  crimson  color.  Flesh  firm,  and  quality  excellent. 
Plants  are  not  very  productive,  but  usually  bear  a  mode- 
rate second  crop  late  in  summer.  The  foliage  is  said  to 
burn  in  some  localities  and  soils,  but  in  my  grounds  it 
has  not  suffered  during  hot,  dry  weather  to  any  greater 
extent  thafc  any  of  the  old,  standard  sorts. 


APPEHDIX.  281 

Early  Canada. — Said  to  resemble  the  "  Old  Iron 
Clad,"  but  in  no  respects  superior.  Plants  only  mode- 
rately productive. 

Emily's  White. — Recommended  only  as  a  novelty. 
The  first  berries  to  ripen  are  light  red,  but  later  they  are 
almost  pure  white.  I  have  not  seen  this  variety,  but 
from  description  it  would  seem  to  be  very  similar  to 
Lennig's  White,  when  grown  in  exposed  positions,  and 
when  the  fruit  is  not  shaded  by  the  leaves. 

Gaudy's  Prize, — A  new  variety,  of  which  little  is 
known.  It  is  supposed  to  be  a  cross  between  the  Jersey 
Queen  and  Glendale.  It  is  claimed  by  the  originator  to 
be  the  latest  in  ripening,  and  the  hardest  fleshed  variety 
known.  Berries  large,  nearly  globular,  bright  crimson, 
with  a  rich  and  sprightly  flavor.  Plants  very  stocky  in 
growth,  and  said  to  be  productive. 

Garretson.  (Pistillate.) — This  is  not  a  new  variety,  but 
only  recently  disseminated  by  its  originator,  the  well 
known  seedsman  of  Flushing,  N.  Y.,  after  whom  it  is 
named.  Fruit  large  globular,  bright  crimson,  very 
firm,  and  of  good  flavor.  Eecommended  as  an  excellent 
market  berry,  owing  to  its  uniform  size  and  firm  flesh. 

Henderson, — Very  large,  early,  and  immensely  pro- 
ductive ;  but  its  great  merit  is  in  its  exquisite  flavor.  It 
is  also  claimed  by  its  disseminator  to  be  adapted  to  all,  or 
at  least  to  a  great  variety  of  soils.  It  has  not  as  yet  been 
very  widely  distributed,  or  extensively  cultivated,  and  it 
may  not  prove  as  good  or  valuable  as  represented. 

Hoffman's  Seedling. — A  chance  seedling,  found  in  a 
garden  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  it  promises  to  be  a  valu- 
able variety  for  the  South.  The  introducer  says  that  it 
is  extra  early,  of  large  size,  and  so  firm  that  it  may  be 
readily  and  safely  shipped  to  Northern  markets. 

James  Tick, — Medium,  obtuse-conical,  bright  scarlet ; 
flesh  pink,  firm,  but  only  second  rate  in  quality.  A 


282  SMALL  FRUIT  CULTUEIST. 

vigorous  and  productive  variety,  very  much  like  Capt. 
Jack,  described  on  page  92. 

Jersey  Queen.  (Pistillate.) — Very  large,  regular  oval, 
sometimes  a  little  flattened  at  the  point.  Very  handsome 
rich  scarlet,  and  of  high  flavor.  One  of  Mr.  Durand's 
seedlings.  It  must  be  grown  in  hills,  or  single  rows,  and 
given  extra  high  cultivation,  to  insure  success. 

Jewell.  (Pistillate.)  —  A  new  and  highly  extolled 
variety  from  Connecticut,  and  supposed  to  be  a  seedling 
of  the  Jersey  Queen.  The  plants  are  said  to  be  very 
robust  and  prolific,  provided,  of  course,  that  some  good 
perfect  flowering  variety  is  grown  near-by  for  supplying  its 
flowers  with  pollen.  It  is  described  as  very  large,  obtuse- 
conical  ;  color  bright  red,  changing  to  crimson  when  fully 
ripe.  Flesh  solid  and  firm.  It  is  certainly  a  very  promis- 
ing variety. 

Jumbo. — This  is  but  another  name  for  the  Cumberland 
Triumph,  described  on  page  94. 

Legal  Tender,  (Pistillate.) — Medium  size,  roundish- 
conical,  quite  uniform  in  shape,  bright  crimson,  good 
quality,  and  the  plants  moderately  productive.  It  is, 
however,  of  no  special  value,  there  being  many  better 
varieties  in  cultivation. 

Lida,  (Pistillate.) — Large,  and  of  a  uniform  broad- 
conical  or  heart-shape  ;  bright  red  ;  flesh  firm  and  of 
excellent  quality  ;  plants  hardy  and  prolific  ;  season 
medium. 

Longfellow. — Medium  to  large,  oblong,  point  rather 
broad  or  blunt ;  color,  dark  mohagany,  but  very  glossy  ; 
flesh,  firm,  sweet  and  excellent.  Not  valuable  for 
market,  but  a  good  variety  for  amateurs,  who  prefer 
quality  to  fine  appearance. 

Mammoth. — A  new  variety  raised  in  New  Jersey,  and 
it  is  claimed  to  be  the  largest  known.  It  is  also  reported 


APPENDIX.  283 

that  single  berries  have  been  exhibited,  weighing  one  and 
a  quarter  ounces  each. 

Manchester.  (Pistillate.) — This  variety  has  been 
very  widely  distributed,  and  somewhat  extensively  cul- 
tivated for  market,  as  well  as  for  home  use  by 
amateurs.  The  plant  is  very  healthy,  vigorous  and 
productive,  and  succeeds  on  a  great  variety  of  soils. 
Fruit  large,  uniform  in  size  ;  light  scarlet  ;  flesh  firm 
with  a  sprightly  sub-acid  flavor.  The  Sharpless  is  re- 
commended as  an  excellent  staminate  for  planting  with 
the  Manchester  for  supplying  pollen  to  its  flowers. 

Manchester  Junior. — A  seedling  of  the  Manchester, 
and  claimed  to  be  a  larger  variety,  than  its  parent.  Not 
yet  disseminated. 

May  King. — Described  as  very  similar  to  the  Crescent, 
but  with  perfect  flowers,  bearing  a  heavy  crop  with  ordi- 
nary field  culture. 

Monmouth. — Another  variety,  said  to  be  an  improve- 
ment on  the  Crescent,  being  much  larger  and  of  firmer 
flesh,  but  with  the  same  bright  and  attractive  colors. 
The  disseminator  claims  that  this  variety  possesses  "  un- 
usual merit." 

Mrs.  Garfield. — A  seedling  of  the  Crescent,  raised  in 
Ohio.  Medium  to  large,  irregular-conical,  with  short 
neck  ;  bright  glossy  scarlet,  and  of  a  very  sprightly  rich 
flavor.  Plants  hardy  and  very  productive. 

Old  Iron  Clad.  (Ptielps.) — Medium  to  large,  obtuse- 
conical,  bright  crimson,  glossy  ;  flesh  firm,  rather  acid, 
but  rich.  Plants  hardy  and  exceedingly  productive. 
An  excellent  early  market  variety,  somewhat  resembling 
the  Wilson's  Albany. 

Parry. — A  seedling  of  the  Jersey  Queen,  raised  in  1880, 
but  only  recently  disseminated.  It  has  been  awarded 
several  premiums  at  local  fairs,  and  is  highly  recommended 


284  SMALL  FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

by  those  who  have  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  and 
testing  it.  It  is  described  by  the  originator  as  "  uniformly 
large,  obtuse-conical,  bright  glossy  scarlet ;  flesh  firm, 
and  of  the  best  quality.  Plant  vigorous." 

Sunapee. — A  chance  seedling  found  at  Vineland,  N".  J., 
described  as  of  uniform  good  size,  bright  crimson  color  ; 
flesh  very  firm,  and  exceedingly  sweet  for  a  strawberry. 

Wonderful.  (Pistillate). — A  new  variety,  or  an  old 
one  with  a  new  name,  the  plants  resemble  the  Champion 
(see  page  107),  a  variety  also  known  as  Windsor  Chief 
(as  all  have  imperfect  flowers,  they  are  probably  one  and 
the  same  variety). 

RASPBERRY. 

Of  the  Rubus  Occident  alls,  or  Black-cap  group,  new 
varieties  are  introduced  almost  every  season,  but  it  is  very 
doubtful,  if  any  of  the  new  are  better  than  the  best  of 
the  old,  in  common  cultivation  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago.  Among  the  more  recent  varieties  of  this  group  I 
give  the  following  in  addition  to  those  named  in  proceed- 
ing pages  : 

Canada. — Very  similar  to  the  Mammoth  Cluster,  and 
after  cultivating  it  a  few  seasons,  I  discarded  it,  for  it 
possessed  no  merits  or  qualities  not  found  in  several  of 
the  old  and  standard  sorts. 

Centennial. — Very  large,  jet  black,  with  very  little 
or  slight  bloom  on  the  berries,  very  sweet  and  high 
flavored.  Plants  vigorous  and  exceedingly  productive. 
Owing  to  the  bright  color  and  absence  of  bloom,  this  is 
one  of  the  best  market  varieties,  as  the  fruit  does  not 
have  a  stale  appearance  in  a  few  hours  after  gathering,  as 
is  usual  with  those  with  heavy  bloom. 

Chapman* — A  new  variety  from  Ohio,  resembling  the 
Centennial  in  the  absence  of  bloom  on  the  fruit,  but 


APPEKAIX.  285 

ripening  about  one  week  earlier.     Highly  recommended 
by  the  introducer  for  market. 

Ear  hart.  (Overbearing.) — From  the  few  specimens  of 
fruit  and  plants,  that  I  have  seen  of  this  variety  I  think 
it  does  not  differ  very  greatly  from  the  old  Ohio  Ever- 
bearing, described  on  page  152.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
found  in  Illinois  about  sixteen  years  ago.  Berries  large, 
jet  black,  and  excellent  in  quality.  The  old  canes  bear  a 
crop  at  the  usual  season,  and  the  tips  of  the  young  shoots 
are  loaded  with  berries  in  autumn.  If  the  Earhart 
proves  to  be  as  hardy  and  prolific  as  the  Ohio  Everbear- 
ing it  will  be  well  worth  cultivating  by  persons  who  are 
so  fond  of  black  raspberries,  as  to  want  them  in  season 
and  out  of  season. 

IIHborn. — A  new  variety  from  Ohio,  of  which  little  is 
known,  except  what  is  said  of  it  by  the  introducer,  who 
claims  that  it  is  one  of  the  best  as  yet  introduced. 

Hopkin's. — Very  much  like  the  Mammoth  Cluster,  but 
as  early  as  the  Doolittle,  and  not  quite  so  prolific  as  the 
Souhegan. 

Nemaha. — One  of  our  most  extensive  cultivators  of 
the  Raspberry  says  that  this  new  variety  is  "almost 
identical  with  the  Gregg,"  but  he  thinks  the  plants  are 
more  hardy.  This  may  be  an  advantage  in  extreme 
northern  localities,  but  scarcely  worth  attention  else- 
where. 

Ohio,  or  A I  den, — A  variety  closely  resembling,  if  not 
identical  with  the  Seneca,  described  on  page  152.  It  has 
long  been  a  favorite  with  cultivators  in  Central  New 
York. 

Soiihogan  or  Tyler. — Fruit  very  large,  black,  with 
light  bloom,  good  flavor,  one  of  the  very  earliest  of  the 
very  large  varieties.  Plant  vigorous,  hardy,  and  exceed- 
ingly productive. 


SMALL  FRUIT  CULTURIST. 


PURPLE  CANE   GROUP. 

Caroline.  —  A  very  handsome  variety,  apparently  a 
hybrid  between  the  purple  cane  and  some  yellow  variety 
of  the  Rulus  Occidentalis.  Fruit  pale  salmon  or  buff 
color,  medium  size,  sweet  and  good,  but  too  soft  for 
transporting  to  market,  and  in  this  respect  very  much 
like  the  old  Purple  Cane. 

Reliance. — Seedling  of  the  Philadelphia,  and  by  some 
persons  considered  an  improvement  upon  its  parent.  The 
color  is  too  dull  and  dark  for  market,  and  there  are  many 
other  varieties  preferable  for  home  use. 

Shaffer's  Colossal. — Probably  the  largest  Easpberry  in 
cultivation  of  American  origin,  and  only  excelled  in  size 
by  some  of  the  Japanese  species.  Berries  of  a  dull  purple 
color,  of  fair  quality.  Plants  vigorous  and  productive. 
Kecommended  only  for  preserving,  and  for  this  purpose 
it  has  no  superior. 

NATIVE   RED   AND   YELLOW  VARIETIES. 

Golden  Queen. — This  is  without  doubt  a  "sport"  or 
bud  variation  of  the  Cuthbert,  and  not  a  seedling.  My 
reason  for  thinking  so,  is,  that  I  have  obtained  a  similar 
or  the  same  variety  as  the  Golden  Queen,  from  a  sprout 
on  an  old  plant  of  the  Cuthbert.  Fruit  very  large,  con- 
ical, pale  amber  or  yellow,  and  in  quality  not  excelled  by 
any  native  or  foreign  variety.  Canes  very  strong  and 
vigorous  ;  foliage  pale  green  or  yellowish  green,  as  usual 
in  the  light  colored  varieties.  Hardy  and  exceedingly 
productive.  It  is  the  best  hardy  yellow  variety  of  Easp- 
berry in  cultivation. 

Hansell* — Very  large,  nearly  round;  light  bright 
crimson  ;  firm,  but  not  hard  ;  juicy  and  good,  one  of  the 
earliest  of  the  very  large  varieties,  and  a  splendid  berry 
for  market  or  home  use.  The  canes  are  very  hardy,  but 


APPENDIX.  28? 

in  my  grounds  the  growth  is  slender,  and  not  half  as 
strong  as  that  of  either  the  Cuthbert  or  Turner.  This 
variety  may  succeed  better  in  heavy  soils  than  in  a  light 
one. 

Marlboro. — Very  large,  bright  dark  scarlet,  a  hand- 
some variety  ripening  about  mid-season,  but  of  second-, 
rate  quality.  Plants  extremely  vigorous  and  productive. 
A  valuable  variety  for  market,  as  the  fruit  is  firm  enough 
to  bear  transportation,  and  they  hold  their  color  well. 

Rancocas. — A  new  variety,  said  to  be  very  early,  the 
entire  crop  ripening  within  a  few  days.  It  has  not  as 
yet  been  very  widely  distributed,  nor  fully  tested,  and  the 
most  that  can  be  said  in  its  praise  is  that  it  promises 
well. 

BLACKBERKIES. 

Early  Cluster, — Small  oblong,  grains  medium,  sweet 
and  good,  but  neither  early  nor  superior  to  many  wild 
varieties  to  be  found  almost  anywhere  in  the  fields  and 
woods. 

Early  Harvest, — Very  early,  medium  oval,  grains 
small,  quality  excellent,  plants  hardy,  and  in  some  locali- 
ties and  soils  said  to  be  wonderfully  prolific.  But  it  has 
proved  to  be  such  a  poor  grower  in  my  grounds  that  I 
have  discarded  it. 

Erie, — A  chance  seedling  found  near  Lake  Erie  in 
Ohio.  The  introducer  claims  that  the  berries  are  of  the 
largest  size,  exceeding  the  Wilson,  Kittatinny  or  Lawton, 
of  excellent  quality,  even  superior  to  the  Kittatinny, 
ripening  before  either  the  Wilson,  Jr.,  or  Wilson's  Early. 

Lucretia  Dewberry. — The  trailing  Blackberries  are 
rarely  cultivated,  owing  to  their  prostrate  canes  and  the 
difficulty  of  working  among  them  for  the  purpose  of  sub- 
duing the  weeds.  Excellent  varieties  may  usually  be 


288  SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

found  in  almost  every  old  and  neglected  field  and  hedge- 
row, but  there  are  very  few  persons,  who  want  to  intro- 
duce them  into  their  gardens.  Recently  it  has  been  sug- 
gested that  these  trailing  varieties  might  be  valuable  for 
cultivating  in  very  cold  northern  regions,  where  the  up- 
right growing  varieties  are  killed  down  in  winter,  and 
there  may  be  something  in  the  idea,  and  it  is  worth  try- 
ing. The  Lucretia  Dewberry  is  one  of  the  wild  varieties 
of  this  type.  Berries  very  large  and  of  excellent  qual- 
ity, and  the  plants  hardy  and  exceedingly  productive. 

Wilson,  Jr. — A  seedling  of  the  Wilson's  Early,  and 
the  originator  claims  that  it  is  far  superior  to  its  parent, 
&t  least  in  size  and  productiveness.  The  old  Wilson's 
Parly,  as  it  is  now  called,  was  by  far  the  largest  Black- 
berry known  at  the  time  of  its  introduction,  but  in  qual- 
ity it  is  inferior  to  many  of  the  old  as  well  as  newer 
varieties,  and  the  plants  are  far  too  tender  for  cultivation 
in  our  more  Northern  States,  and  even  here  in  Northern 
New  Jersey  and  in  a  light,  warm  soil,  the  plants  winter- 
kill about  five  years  out  of  six,  and  for  this  reason  ifc  is 
worthless  ;  but  further  South,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  Phila- 
delphia, where  it  originated,  it  is  a  valuable  and  profit- 
able variety.  Wilson  Jr.  is  said  to  be  more  hardy  than 
its  parent,  consequently  more  productive,  because  the 
fruit-buds  are  not  injured  by  cold. 

Ihere  are  several  others,  supposed  to  be  new  varieties 
of  the  Blackberry,  announced  in  dealers'  catalogues,  of 
which  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  trustworthy  in- 
formation. Among  these  I  may  mention  Bonanza,  Early 
King,  Nevada,  Stone's  Hardy,  and  Wallace. 

CURRANTS. 

Fay's  Prolific. — This  is  unquestionably  a  valuable 
acquisition,  and  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  best,  red  variety 
in  cultivation.  Fruit  large,  deep  red,  bunches  very  long, 


APPENDIX.  289 

moderately  compact,  and  in  quality  as  good  as  the  old 
Bed  Dutch,  and  superior  to  the  Cherry  Currant.  Plants 
very  vigorous,  hardy,  and  productive. 

GOOSEBERRIES. 

No  new  varieties  of  the  Gooseberry  belonging  to  our 
native  species  have  been  introduced  since  the  revision  of 
this  work  in  1881.  But  a  European  variety,  called  the 
"  Industry,"  has  recently  been  extensively  advertised  as 
very  superior,  and  succeeding  admirably  in  the  Northern 
States.  It  is  a  very  large,  redv'berry  of  excellent  qualityc 
Plant  very  hardy  and  productive. 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 

TABLE    OF    DISTANCEa 


f\>  ifiow  at  a  giant*  the  number  of  hills  or  plants  contained  in  cm  acre  of  land,  at 
any  given  distant*  from  each  other,  from  40  feet  by  40,  to  1  foot  by  1,  omitting 
fraction*.  Divide  the  amount  by  160,  wiU  show  the  No.  for  1  rod. 


feet  feet 

per  acre 

feet     feet  per  acre 

feet      feet  per  acre  feet      feet  per  acre 

40  by  40 

27 

11  by  6 

792 

5  6byl  6 

5280 

8  3  by  3  0 

4818 

89       89 

28 

10   .  10 

435 

-.10 

7920 

_ 

.  2  9 

4882 

88 

.  88 

80 

.    8 

544 

50 

.  6  0 

1742 

— 

.  2  6 

6361 

87 

.  87 

81 

__ 

.    6 

726 

— 

.  4  6 

1936 

_ 

.       8 

5956 

86 

.  86 

83 

— 

.    5 

871 

— 

.  4  0 

2178 

— 

.      0 

6701 

85 

.  85 

85 

_ 

.    4 

1089 

— 

.  8  0 

2904 

_ 

.      9 

7658 

84 

.  84 

87 

__ 

.    8 

1452 



.  2  6 

8484 

_ 

.      6 

8935 

83 

83 

40 



.    3 

2178 

— 

2  0 

4356 

— 

.      8 

10722 

J2 

.  82 

42 



.    1 

4356 

— 

.  1   6 

5808 

— 

.      0 

13403 

81 

.  81 

45 

9 

.    9 

637 

— 

.  1  0 

8712 

80 

.      0 

4840 

BO 

.  80 

48 

_ 

.    8 

605 

4  6 

.  4  6 

2151 

— 

.  2  9 

5289 

89 

.  29 

51 

— 

.    6 

806 

— 

.  4  0 

2420 

— 

.  2  6 

5808 

28 

.  28 

55 

_ 

.    5 

908 

— 

.  8  6 

2765 

— 

.  2  3 

6453 

27 

.  27 

59 

__ 

.    4 

1210 

— 

.  8  0 

8226 

— 

2  0 

7260 

2* 

.  26 

64 

— 

.    8 

1613 

— 

.  2  6 

3872 

— 

1   9 

8297 

25 

25 

69 

_ 

.    2 

2420 

_ 

.  2  0 

4840 

__ 

.  3    8 

9680 

24 

.  24 

75 

.    1 

4SIO 

— 

.  1   6 

6453 

— 

.  1   8 

11616 

28 

23 

82 

g 

.    8 

680 



.  1  0 

96SO 



.  1  0 

14520 

32 

.  22 

90 

_ 

.    6 

905 

4  0 

u 

2722 

29 

.  2  9 

6760 

21 

.  21 

98 

_ 

.    5 

1089 



I 

2904 

_ 

.  2  6 

6336 

.  20 

108 



.    4 

1301 

— 

6 

8111 

— 

.  2  3 

7040 

_ 

.  15 

145 



.    8 

1815 

— 

1 

WSO 

_ 

2  0 

7920 



.  1ft 

217 

— 

.    2 

1722 

— 

, 

0 

3630 

— 

9 

9051 

__ 

.    5 

435 

__ 

.    1 

6445 

_ 

6 

4356 

_ 

6 

10560 

19 

.  19 

120 

7 

.  7  0 

888 

— 

3 

4840 

_ 

8 

12672 

.  15 

152 



.  6  6 

957 



0 

5415 



0 

15840 

_ 

.  10 

229 



.  6  0 

1037 

— 

9 

6222 

26 

,6 

6969 

_ 

.    5 

458 



.  6  0 

1244 

_ 

fi 

7200 

— 

3 

7740 

18 

.  18 

184 

.  4  6 

1382 

— 

3 

8712 

— 

0 

8712 

__ 

.  15 



.  4   0 

1555 

_ 

0 

10890 

_ 

9 

9950 

_ 

.  10 

343 

— 

.  8  « 

1777 

39 

ft 

8097 

— 

6 

11616 

_ 

.    6 

484 

— 

.  3  0 

2074 

— 

6 

3318 

— 

8 

13939 

17 

.  17 

150 



.  9  0 

24S9 

— 

3 

3574 

— 

0 

17424 

.  15 

170 



.  2  H 

8111 



_ 

0 

3872 

38 

3 

8604 

__ 

.  10 

256 



.  1    0 

4148 

89 

9 

4224 

_ 

0 

9680 



.    5 

612 

_ 

.  1  0 

6332 

6 

4646 

— 

9 

11062 

16 

.  16 

170 

0 

.  6  0 

1210 



R 

5102 

— 

fi 

12906 

.  16 

175 

_ 

.  5  'i 

1320 

— 

0 

6HUB 

— 

3 

154S8 

_ 

.  10 

272 



.  5  0 

1452 



9 

6037 

— 

0 

19300 

__ 

.    5 

oil 



.  4   •'• 

1613 

__ 

t 

6 

7744 

30 

0 

10890 

15 

.  15 

193 



.  4   0 

1816 

— 

8 

9272 

9 

12415 

_ 

.  10 

•290 



.  3  » 

2074 



0 

11616 

_ 

6 

14520 

__ 

.    5 

5SO 



.  3  0 

2420 

36 

6 

8585 

_ 

3 

174-24 

14 

.  14 

£»£ 



.  2  6 

2904 

3 

3829 

— 

0 

21780 

.  10 

n  i 



.  2  0 

3630 

_ 

0 

4148 

1  9 

9 

14223 

_ 

622 



.  1  6 

4&40 

_ 

9 

4525 

__ 

6 

lliMM 

18 

.'  18 

257 

_ 

.  1  0 

7260 

— 

6 

4978 

— 

3 

19913 

.  10 

835 

56 

.  5  6 

1417 



8 

6531 

— 

0 

24454 

. 

.    5 

670 

.  6  0 

1584 



0 

6222 

1  6 

6 

19300 

13 

.  12 

802 



.  4  6 

1760 

— 

9 

7111 

— 

8 

2323-2 

.  10 

863 

_ 

.  4  0 

1HSO 

_ 

6 

8297 

— 

0 

29040 

__ 

.    5 

730 



.  8  6 

2262 

_ 

§ 

8 

9956 

1  8 

8 

27878 

11 

.  11 

860 

__ 

.  8  0 

2640 

__ 

0 

12445 

__ 

0 

84848 

.  10 

896 

— 

.  3  0 

8960 

88 

8 

4124      11  0 

0|  43660 

GENERAL    INDEX. 


JScidium  Berber! dis... 29 

Armenia  obtusatum 83 

BARBEKBY 20 

"•        Culture  of 25 

"       History  of 21 

"        Diseases  of 29 

Mildew 29 

"       Propagation 21 

"       American 20 

Black- fruited  28 

"        Chinese 28 

"        Common ..20-25 

"        Cretan 28 

"       Fremont's 20 

"       Iberian 28 

Magellan  Sweet 20 

"        Nepaul 20 

u        Purple-fruited , 28 

"        Purple-leaved. 27 

"        Siberian 28 

"        Sweet-fruited 27 

"        Three-leaved 21 

Violet-fruiU-d 28 

"        White-fruited 27 

Yellow-fruiied 28 

Basket,  American  268 

"      Belgian 274 

"      Cook's 273 

"      Jersey ..2(50 

lk      Paragon 273 

u      Square  Chip 272 

Basket  Stand 278 

Berberis  20 

"       aristata 20 

"        Asiattca 20 

"       buxifdia 20 

"        Cnnadensis 20 

C/ufra 20 

"        Cretica 28 

<k       Fremontii ...  . .  20 


Berberis  Iberica a8 

rotundifolia 20 

"  Sibirica 28 

"  Sinent-is 28 

"  trifoliata 21 

"  vulgaris 20-25 

"  "  alba 27 

"  "  asperraa 27 

"  "  dulcis 27 

"  "  glauca 27 

u  "  long!  folia 27 

44  "  lutea 28 

"  "  mitis 28 

"  "  nigra 28 

"  "  purpurea 28 

"  "  violacea 28 

BLACKBERRY  ... 176 

"  Agawam.... 187 

A'.^ioii  .,..183 

"  Ancient  Briton  .187 

"  Barnard 187 

Cape  May 183 

"  Claret 189 

"  Col.  Wilder 189 

"  Common  High 178 

"  Crystal  White 189 

"  CumberSand 182 

"  Cut-leaved  ISO 

"  Dr.  Warder 189 

"  Dodge's  Thornless 187 

"  Dorchester 183 

"  Early  Burnton 187 

"  European 178 

"  Felton 183 

Holcomb 183 

"  Hoosac  Thornless 187 

"  Kntatinny ..  .  183 

Kimx  187 

"  Lawton  ...  186 

"  Low...  ...171 


Synonyms  are  put  m  Italics. 


(291) 


292 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 


Blackberry,  Low  Bush 177 

"        Missouri  Mammoth 187 

•'        Needham's  White 188 

"        Newman's  Thoruless 186 

"       New  Rochelle ISO 

"       Parsley-Leaved 181 

"        Propagation  of 179 

"        Pruning  Shears ...  180 

"       Pruning  Hook 180 

"       Running  Swamp 177 

"       Sable  Queen , 187 

"        Sand 177 

"       Seacor's  Mammoth 186 

"        Snyder 188 

"       Taylor's  Prolific 188 

"        Wachusett  Thoruless 188 

"       Western  Triumph 188 

"       Wilson's  Early 189 

Blueberry,  Canada 255 

Dwarf 255 

"       .   Swamp 255 

Blue  Dangleberry 254 

Buffalo  Berry 259 

Cherry,  Cornelian 233 

Cherry,  Dwarf 191 

Cloud  Berry 120 

Cornel ...233 

Cornelian  Cherry 233 

Nonius  mascula 233 

CRANBERRY 239 

"       Applying  water  to 247 

"        Bush 240 

"       Common 239 

"        Gathering .   ..242 

"        History  of 240 

"        Insects 249 

44        Planting 245 

"       Preparation  of  Soil  for — 242 

Profits  of  Culture 252 

"        Propagation 241 

Upland  Culture 250 

"        Varieties  of 248 

Crows  and  Fruit  Culture 85 

CURRANT -194 

Foreign  Varieties 210 

"        History  of 195 

"       Insects  and  Diseases 204 

"        Native  Varieties 207 

"        Propagation 196 

"        Priming  and  training 201 

"       Soil  and  Cultivation 200 

"       Attractor 211 


Currant,  American  Black 207 

"        Black  English 217 

"       Black  Grape 218 

"       Black  Naples... 218 

"        Brown-fruited 219 

"  Buist's  Long-Bunched  Red.212 

Cassis  Royal  of  Naples 218 

"        Champagne ...    212 

Cherry 212 

"        Clarke's  Sweet £i7 

"        Dana's  White 214 

"        Deseret 207 

"  Fertile  cC  Angers  of  Leroy..%lZ 

"        Fertile  de  Palluau 214 

"       Fetid 194 

"       Gloire  de  Sablons 214 

"        Goiden 208 

"        Goliath 216 

"       Gondouin  Red 214 

"       Gondouin  White 214 

"        Green-fruited 219 

"        Gros  Rouge  d' Angers 214 

"        Holland  Long  Grape 214 

"       Houghton  Castle ..216 

"       Imperial  Jaime 214 

"       Imperia,  Rouge 215 

"       Imperial  Yellow 214 

Irish  Grape 212 

"       Knight's  Early  Red 215 

"        Knight's  Large  Red 215 

"       Knight's  Sweet  Red 215 

"       La  Caucase 212 

La  Fertile 215 

LaHative 215 

u       La  Hative  de  Berlin 215 

Large  Red  Angers 212-214 

"       Large  Red  Dutch 215 

"        Lee's  Prolific 219 

"       Long  Bunched  Red 215 

"       Macrocarpa 212 

"       May's  Victoria 215 

"        Missouri 195 

"        Missouri  Black 208 

"       Missouri  Sweet-fruited 209 

"       Morgan's  Red 215 

"       Napoleon  Red 212 

11       Netv  Red  Dutch 215 

"       New  White  Dutch 217 

• '        Ogden's  Black  Grape 218 

Pheasant's  Eye 212 

u        Prince  Albert.   215 

"       Profits  of  Culture 219 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


293 


Currant,  Raby  Castle 216 

Red 195 

44        Red  Dutch  ..., 215 

"        Red  Flowering 195 

"        Red  Grape 216 

"       Heel  Grape 216 

"        Red  Imperial 212 

"        Red  Provence 216 

"        Reeves' White 217 

f  *'       Rouge  a  Grosse  Fruit 215 

"       Russian  Green 219 

"        Striped-fruited 216 

"        Transparent  White 217 

Versailles  213 

44        Victoria 216 

"        White  Antwerp 217 

White  Clinton 217 

14        White  Crystal 217 

"       White  Dutch 217 

"       White  Grape.   217 

"        While  Holland 217 

44        White  Imperial 217 

White  Leghorn 217 

White  Pearl 217 

44        White  Provence  217 

"        White  Transparent 217 

4 '        Wilmofs  Red  Grape  216 

44        Wild  Black ..194 

Dangleberry,  Blue. 254 

Dewberry 177 

Dwarf  Cherry 191 

Forci  ng  Houses 74 

Fragaria 31 

44       collina 32 

44       elatior.. 32 

"       grandiflora 32 

"        Indica 32 

"       rnonophylla 1W 

44        vesca 31 

44       Virginiana , 32 

Fruit  Box.  Free 269 

Gothic,  Free 272 

"        Guernsey 275 

"       Hallock's 268 

Smith's 276 

Fruit  Case,  Johnson's  Premium.  ..275 

Gathering  Fruit 277 

Gaylussacia  frondosa  254 

"          resinosa 255 

GOOSEBERRY 232 

Ati.erican  Red 230 

**         Cluster  Seedling 230 


Gooseberry,  Downing 230 

Dutch  Joe 230 

Foreign  Species 223 

"         Foreign  Varieties 231 

44          History 224 

"          Houghton's  Seedling. .230 
"          Insects  Injurious  to.... 228 

"         Mountain  Seedling 230 

"         Native  Species 228 

44         Native  Varieties 230 

PaleRed 230 

44         Prize  English  Varieties232 

"         Profits  of  Culture 229 

"         Propagation  of 224 

"         Pruning  and  Train  ing.. 225 
4 '         Roberts'1  Sweet  Water. . .  230 

St.  Clair 230 

"         Small  Leaved .223 

Smooth 222 

"         Soil  and  Culture 226 

"         Swamp ....223 

Grosse  de  Buffle .  259 

Hippophce  argentea.  259 

HUCKLEBERRY 254 

"         Black 255 

"         Dwarf 255 

44         High-bush  255 

INSECTS. 

44       Abraxis  Grossulariata 204 

44  44         ribearia /....204 

44       Aphis  ribis 229 

44       Blackberry  Bush  Borer 149 

"       Cecidomya  Grossulariae 229 

44       Currant  Borer,  American .  .207 
44        Borer,  European.. 206 

44       Worm 204 

"        Eufitchia  ribearia 204 

44       Gooseberry  Bark-louse 228 

44  "  Midge 229 

44       Lecanium  Cynosbati 228 

"        May  Beetle 84 

14       Mealy  Flata 228 

44       Pseciloptera  pruinosa 223 

"       Plant-Louse 88 

"       Pristiphora  grossulariata..206 

44       Trochilium  candatum 207 

44  <4          tipuliforme...  206 

44       WhiteGrub 84 

Introduction     6 

Microsphgeria  Berberidis 30 

Number  of  Plants  to  the  Acre 279 

Preparation  for  Gathering  Fruit.  ...263 


294 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 


Propagation,  by  Cuttings 22 

"  Green-wood  Cuttings.  24 

'»  Root  Cuttings 124 

Prnnns  pumila 192 

Rabbit  Berry 259 

RASPBERRY .119 

"         American  Black 150 

Black 122 

"         Black  Cap,  Propagation 

of .i28 

"         Brand 146 

"         Rust 146 

"         Disease  and  Insects 146 

"         Duration  of  Plants 145 

Dwarf 121 

"         European     122 

"         Garden  Culture  of  i43 

"         History  of 122 

"         Planting  and  Culture  ...  137 

"         Propagation  of 123 

"         Pruning  of 140 

"         Purple  Flowering 119 

"         Selection  of  Plants 137 

"         Training  of    141 

"         Varieties  for  Family  U&e  174 

Varieties  for  Market. .  ..175 
"         White  Flowering 120 

Wild  Red 120 

"         Winter  Protection  of. ...  142 

"         Allen's  Antwerp 159 

"         Allen's  Red  Prolific 159 

"        Amazon 164 

"         American  Improved 150 

"         American  Red  Cane 155 

"         American  White  Cap  ...  150 

"         Antwerp 163 

*«         Antwerp  Red 163 

"         Antwerp  Yellow 163 

Barnet 164 

"         Barnel's  Antwerp 164 

Beehive 173 

"         Belle  de  Fontenay 164 

"         BelledePalluau....    ...165 

"         Brandy  wine 162 

"         Brentford  Cane 194 

"        Brinckle's  Orange 171 

"         Bromley  Hill 173 

"         Burlei/s  Antwei-p 163 

"         Burlington 165 

u         Caroline 151 

"         Catawissa 153 

•»         Chili  Monthly 173 


Raspberry,  Clarke 165 

Col.  Wilder 36(5 

"          Cope 166 

Cornish 173 

"          Cornwall' 's  Prolific 164 

"          Cornwall's  Seedling 104 

"         Cretan  Red 106 

"          dishing 166 

"  Cutbush's      Prince      of 

Wales 106 

'         Cuthbert   162 

"          Cox's  Honey 173 

"         Davi^on's  Thornless 151 

DoolittWs  Black  Cap. ...  150 

"         Downing ..166 

"         Double  Bearing 166 

"  Double  Bearing  Yellow  . .  163 

"         Duhring 167 

"         Early  Prolific 173 

"         Elizabeth 169 

"         EllisdaU) 155 

"         Emily 167 

"         English  Antwerp 163 

"         Fastolff 167 

"         Fillbasket 167 

"         Foreign  Varieties 163 

"         Franconia 167 

"         French 168 

"         Fulton 168 

"         Ganarqua Io5 

'*         Gardiner 155 

"         General  Patterson 168 

"         Golden  Cap  160 

Gregg 151 

"         Herstine 169 

"  Heroine's  Seedlings....  168 

"         Hornet 170 

"         Rowland's  Antwerp 163 

u  Hudson  River  Antwerp . .  163 

"         Huntsman's  Giant 170 

"         Imperial 170 

"  Improved  Black  Cap   ...  150 

•'         Jillard's  Seedling <173 

"         Joslyn's  Improved 150 

"         Jonet 170 

"         Keyptone 173 

"         Kirtland 162 

"          Knevet's  Giant 170 

"         Knevetfs  Antwerp 163 

"  Large-fruited  Monthly... 170 

"         Large  Miami 151 

"        LargeRed 164 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


295 


Raspberry,  Longworth 173 

44         LordExmouth 164 

44          McCormick 151 

"         Magnum  Bonum 170 

"         Mammoth  Cluster 151 

44  Marvel  of  the  Four  Sea- 
sons  171 

"  MerveilleQuatreSaisonsl71 

"         Miami  Black  Cap 152 

"         Montclair 171 

Monthly  Black  Cap 152 

"         Mote's  Seedling 174 

"         Mrs.  lugersoll 173 

"         Mrs.  Wilder 174 

"         Naomi 167 

"         New  Everbearing 174 

"         New  Bed  Antwerp 163 

"  Northumberland  Fillbas- 

ket 167 

"         Nottingham  Scarlet 174 

"         Ohio  Everbearing 152 

"         Old  Eed  Antwerp 163 

"         Orange 163 

"         Philadelphia 156 

"         Pilate ..171 

"         Princess  Alice 174 

"         Purple  Cane 155 

"  Purple  Cane  Family  ...153 

"         queen  of  the  Market 162 

"         Reliance 157 

*'         Richardson  . .  174 

"         Rivers'  New  Monthly 170 

•*         Rivers' Seedlings 171 

"         Ruby 169 

"         Russell's  Red 172 

**     .    St.  Louis , 174 

"         Saunders 169 

"         Semper  Fidelis 172 

"         Seneca 152 

"         Souchetti    172 

"         Spring  Grove 174 

"         Summit  Yellow  Cap 152 

"         Superb 174 

"  Superb  d'Angleterre...  174 

"         Surpasse  Merveille 174 

"         Surprise 152 

44         Susqueco 162 

"         Taylor's  Paragon 174 

"  Thornless  Black  Cap...  151 

"  True  Red  Antwerp. ...    163 

•*  Vice- President  French. . .  168 

"         Walker .172 


Raspberry,  Wliite  Anfiverp 163 

'          Wliite  Transparent 172 

WildRed 121 

Wilmington 162 

Wilmot's  Early  Red 174 

1          Woodward 174 

*          Woodward's  Red  Globe.174 

4          Yellow  Cap 150 

Yellow  Chili 173 

Ribes 194 

14     aureum 195 

"     cuneifolium 223 

"     Cynosbati 222 

"     divaricatum 223 

"     floridum 194 

"     gracile  223 

"     Grossularia 223 

44     hirtellum 222 

"     lacustre  223 

44     microphyllum 223 

"     nigrum 195 

44     oxycanthoides 223 

"     prostratum 194 

44     rotundifolium 223 

44     rubrum 195 

44     sanguineum 195 

44     Uva  crispa 223 

Root  Cuttings 123 

Rubus , 119 

44     Canadensis 177 

44     Chamaemorus ...120 

cuneifolius 177 

fruticosus 178 

hispidus 177 

Idaeus 122 

Japonicns 122 

"    laciniatus 181 

44     leucodermis 121 

44     Nutkanus 120 

44     occidentalis 122 

<4     odoratus 119 

44     pedatus 120 

44     spectabilis 120 

44     strigosus 121 

44     triflorus 121 

44     trivialis 177 

"     villosus 176 

Shepherdia 259 

4k         argentea 259 

44         Canadensis 259 

Slugs gs 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURTST. 


STRAWBERRY SI 

"  Brand 83 

"  Culture,  Annual 63 

"  "       Biennial 62 

"  "       Garden 64 

"  "       Rows  and  Hills  63 

"          Diseases  and  Insects. . .  83 

"  Forcing 70 

*'  History  of 32 

•"  Houses  for —   .74 

"           Hybridizing  and  Cross- 
in}; 76 

"  Manures  for 54 

"  PlantingandCultivation  60 

PotPlants 52 

"  Preparation  of  Plants..  57 

"          Propagation  of . .    48 

"  "  by  Division  of  Roots  53 

"  "  by  Runners 52 

"  4t  bySeeds 50 

*l  Sexuality  of 89 

•'  Soil  and  Situation 53 

"           Structure  of  Plants.   ...  46 
"  Thinning  the  Fruit 76 

Tiles 67 

"  Time  to  Plant  56 

"  Varieties  for  Forcing.    75 

Vase 67 

"  Winter  Protection 80 

LIST  OP  VARIETIES. 

Admiral  Dundas 110 

Agriculturist 90 

Albion  White 90 

Alpine 31 

Alpine  Blanc 116 

Alpine  Red 116 

Alpine  Red  Monthly 116 

Alpine  Rouge 116 

Alpine  White ..116 

Alpine  White  Monthly 116 

Alpine  Varieties 116 

Ambrosia 110 

American  Alpine 116 

Austin 90 

Autumnal  Galande 116 

Baltimore  Scarlet 92 

Baron  Bemau  de  Linnick 110 

BarOett 91 

Belle 80 

Belle  Artesienne Ill 


Belle  Bordclaise 117 

Belle  de  Vibert Ill 

Berancon 116 

Bicolor Ill 

Bidwell 81 

Bijou Ill 

Black  Defiance 81 

Black  Hautbois...   118 

Bout*  de  St.  Julien 110 

Boston  Pine 91 

Boule  d'Or 110 

Boyden's  No.  30 104 

Brighton  Pine 91 

Brooklyn  Scarlet 91 

Buffalo, 91 

Burr's  New  Pine 91 

Bush  Alpine,  Red 117 

Bush  Alpine,  White 117 

Caperon  Eoyale 118 

Captain  Jack 92 

CarnoliaMagna  Ill 

Caroline 29 

Caucasian 117 

Centennial  Favorite 92 

Cetewayo 107 

Champion 92 

Champion  of  Richmond 107 

Charles  Downing 92 

Chorlton's  Prolific 107 

Cinderella. 92 

Col.  Cheney 93 

Col.  Ellsworth  . 93 

Continental 93 

Crescent  Seedling 93 

Crimson  Cone 93 

Crimson  Favorite . 107 

Crystal  City 94 

Cumberland  Triumph 94 

Cutter's  Seedling 107 

DamaskBeauty  94 

Dent  de  Cheval 116 

De  Montreuil  a  Fruit  Blanc 116 

De  Montreuil  a  Fruit  Rouge 116 

De  Montreuil  a  Marteau  116 

Deptford  Pine Ill 

Des  Alpes  a  Fruit  Rouge 116 

Diadem  107 

Dioecious  Hautbois 117 

Double  Bearing 118 

Downer's  Prolific 94 

Duchess 94 

DukedeMalakoff...  ...Ill 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


29? 


Duncan  , . . , 94 

DuruuiTe  Beauty 107 

Dimuid's  Seedling 95 

Early  Adela 107 

Early  Scarlet 95 

Eclipse 107 

Elton  Improved 111 

Emily 107 

Emma Ill 

E.npress  Eugenie Ill 

Endicott 107 

Fillmore 95 

Pinch's  Prolific 107 

Foreign  Varieties 109 

ForestRose 96 

Fragaria  lucida    . 108 

French's  Seedling 107 

Fressant 116 

Frogmore  Late  Pine Ill 

Georgia  Mammoth 108 

Germantown 98 

Gilbert's  Large  Brown 117 

Glendale 96 

Globe  Hautbois 118 

Glory  de  Nancy  Alpirw .116 

Golden  Defiance 96 

Golden  Queeu 108 

Golden  Seeded 97 

Goliath 112 

Great  American 97 

Green 32 

Green  Alpine 117 

Green  Pine  Apple 117 

Green  Prolific 97 

Green  Wood .117 

Gwentver 112 

Haquin 112 

Hart's  Minnesota 108 

Hautbois 32 

Hautbois  Varieties 117 

Hermaphrodite , 118 

Hen. 112 

Ht-rvcy  Davis  97 

Hillman 112 

Hooker 98 

Hovey 98 

Huddleston's  Favorite 98 

Ida 108 

India 32 

Iowa 108 

Jucunda. ,     112 

Kate...  ..  112 


Kentucky 98 

Kerr's  Prolific 108 

Kimberly  Pine 113 

Ki  rkwood 108 

Knox'slOO 112 

Kramer's  Seedling .108 

La  Constante 113 

Ladies'  Pine 98 

Lady  Finger.  ..98 

Lady  of  the  Lake 99 

LaMendonaise 116 

Large-flowering 32 

La  Sultanne 113 

Laurel  Leaf 99 

Le  Baron 108 

Lennig's  White . !   ..100 

Leon  de  St.  Laumer 113 

Longfellow 99 

Long-fruited  Muscatell 118 

Longworth's  Prolific 100 

Lorenz  Booth 113 

Lucas  113 

Lucida  Perfecta 113 

Mammoth  Bush 108 

Marguerite 113 

Marvin 101 

McAvoy's  Superior 106 

Mead's  Seedling 108 

Metcalfs  Early 108 

Miner's  Great  Prolific 101 

Monarch  of  the  West 101 

Monitor 108 

Monstrous  Hautbois . .  118 

Mount  Vernon 108 

Musky  Hautbois 117 

Napoleon  III 113 

Dative  Varieties 90 

Ncunan's  Prolific 101 

Newark  Prolific 97 

New  Dominion ...  101 

New  Jersey  Scarlet 109 

Nicanor 101 

Old  John  Brown 103 

One-Leaved  Alpine...   117 

Orient 102 

Oscar 114 

Paine 108 

Perry's  Seedling 102 

Philadelphia 109 

Pine  Apple 93 

Pioneer 103 

Piper's  Seedling 109 


298 


SMALL   FRUIT   CULTURIST. 


Poitou  Alpine  Monthly 116 

Powdered  Pine 117 

President  Wilder    103 

Prince's  Frederick  William 114 

Prolific  Alpine 116 

Prolific  Hautbois 118 

Reed's  Kansas  Mammoth 109 

Regent: s  Dwarf 118 

Russell's  Advance 109 

Russell's  Prolific 103 

Sabreur 114 

Sacomie 118 

Satin  Gloss 103 

Scarlet  Alpine 116 

Scarlet  fiunner 104 

Scotch  Runner 104 

Scotch  Runner 93 

Scott's  Seedling 104 

Seth  Boyden 104 

Shaker 107 

Sharpless 104 

Sir  Joseph  Banks 118 

Souvenir  de  Kieff 114 

Sucker  State 109 

Trembles  Union 116 

Triomphe  de  Gand 114 


Top?y    114 

Versailles  Alpine  Monthly 116 

Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury 115 

Victoria 115 

Ville  de  Bois 116 

Vineuse  de  Nantes 115 

Virginian 32 

Walden 109 

Warren 109 

White  Pineapple 100 

White  Wood  Strawberry 117 

Wieland..* 109 

Wilding 109 

Williams' Green  Pine 117 

Wilson's  Albany 105 

Windsor  Chief 92 

Wood 31-117 

Table  of  Distances 279 

Thimble  Berry 120-150 

Vaccinium 254 

"          Canadense 255 

"          corymbosum 255 

"          erythrocarpon 240 

"          macrocarpon 239 

**         Oxycoccus 239 

"         PennsylTamcum 255 


STANDARD  BOOKS 

PUBLISHED  BY 

ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY 

NEW  YORK  CHICAGO 

ASHLAND  BUILDING  PEOPLE'S  GAS  BUILDING 

315-321  Fourth  Avenue  ISO   Michigan  Avenue 


Any  of  these  books  Ml  be  sent  by  mall,  postpaid,  to 
any  part  of  the  world,  on  receipt  of  catalog  price.  We  are 
always  happy  to  correspond  with  our  patrons,  and  cordially 
invite  them  to  address  us  on  any  matter  pertaining  to  rural 
books.  Send  for  our  large  illustrated  catalog,  free  on  appli- 
cation. 

First  Principles  of  Soil  Fertility 

By  ALFRED  VIVIAN.  There  is  no  subject  of  more  vital 
importance  to  the  farmer  than  that  of  the  best  method 
of  maintaining  the  fertility  of  the  soil.  The  very  evident 
decrease  in  the  fertility  of  those  soils  which  have  been 
under  cultivation  for  a  number  of  years,  combined  with 
the  increased  competition  and  the  advanced  price  of  labor, 
have  convinced  the  intelligent  farmer  that  the  agriculture 
of  the  future  must  be  based  upon  more  rational  practices 
than  those  which  have  been  followed  in  the  past.  We 
have  felt  for  some  time  that  there  was  a  place  for  a 
brief,  and  at  the  same  time  comprehensive,  treatise  on 
this  important  subject  of  Soil  Fertility.  Professor  Vivian's 
experience  as  a  teacher  in  the  short  winter  courses  has 
admirably  fitted  him  to  present  this  matter  in  a  popular 
style.  In  this  little  book  he  has  given  the  gist  of  the 
subject  in  plain  language,  practically  devoid  of  technical 
and  scientific  terms.  It  is  pre-eminently  a  "First  Book," 
and  will  be  found  especially  valuable  to  those  who  desire 
an  introduction  to  the  subject,  and  who  intend  to  do  subse- 
quent reading.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  265  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.00 

The  Study  of  Corn 

By  PROF.  V.  M.  SHOESMITH.  A  most  helpful  book  to  all 
farmers  and  students  interested  in  the  selection  and  im- 
provement of  corn.  It  is  profusely  illustrated  from  photo- 
graphs, all  of  which  carry  their  own  story  and  contribute 
their  part  in  making  pictures  and  text  matter  a  clear,  con- 
cise and  interesting  study  of  corn.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches, 
loo  pages.  Cloth,  g  •  -  5.  ,<*  «  • ,  r  •*..  s  .  •  Net,  $0.50 

OX 


The  Management  and  Feeding  of  Cattle 

By  PROF.  THOMAS  SHAW.  The  place  for  this  book  will 
be  at  once  apparent  when  it  is  stated  that  it  is  the  first 
book  that  has  ever  been  written  which  discusses  the  man- 
agement and  feeding  of  cattle,  from  the  birth  of  the  calf 
until  it  has  fulfilled  its  mission  in  life,  whether  on  the 
block  or  at  the  pail.  The  book  is  handsomely  printed  on 
fine  paper,  from  large,  clear  type.  Fully  illustrated.  5^x8 
inches.  .496  pages.  Cloth.  . Net,  $2.00 

The  Farmer's  Veterinarian 

By  CHARLES  WILLIAM  BURKETT.  This  book  abounds  in 
helpful  suggestions  and  valuable  information  for  the  most 
successful  treatment  of  ills  and  accidents,  and  disease 
troubles.  A  practical  treatise  on  the  diseases  of  farm 
stock;  containing  brief  and  popular  advice  on  the  nature, 
cause  and  treatment  of  disease,  the  common  ailments  and 
the  care  and  management  of  stock  when  sick.  It  is 
profusely  illustrated,  containing  a  number  of  halftone 
illustrations,  and  a  great  many  drawings  picturing  diseases, 
their  symptoms  and  familiar  attitudes  assumed  by  farm 
animals  when  affected  with  disease,  and  presents,  for  the 
first  time,  a  plain,  practical  and  satisfactory  guide  for 
farmers  who  are  interested  in  the  common  diseases  of  the 
farm.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  288  pages.  Cloth.  Net,  $1.50. 

First  Lessons  in  Dairying 

By  HUBERT  E.  VAN  NORMAN.  This  splendid  little  book 
has  been  written  from  a  practical  point  of  view,  to  fill 
a  place  in  dairy  literature  long  needed.  It  is  designed 
primarily  as  a  practical  guide  to  successful  dairying,  an 
elementary  text-book  for  colleges  and  for  use  especially 
in  short-course  classes.  It  embodies  underlying  principle! 
involved  in  the  handling  of  milk,  delivery  to  factory,  ship- 
ping station,  and  the  manufacture  of  butter  on  the  farm. 
It  is  written  in  a  simple,  popular  way,  being  free  from  tech- 
nical terms,  and  is  easily  understood  by  the  average  farm 
boy.  The  book  is  just  the  thing  for  the  every-day  dairy- 
man, and  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  farmer  in  the 
country.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  100  pages.  Cloth.  Net,  $0.50. 

A  Dairy  Laboratory  Guide 

By  H.  E.  Ross.  While  the  book  is  intended  primarily 
for  use  in'  the  laboratory,  it  should  be  of  value  to  the 
practical  dairyman.  The  time  has  come  when  the  suc- 
cessful dairyman  must  study  his  business  from  a  purely 
scientific  point  of  view,  and  in  this  book  the  scientific 
principles,  upon  which  dairy  industry  is  based,  are  stated 
clearly  and  simply,  and  wherever  it  is  possible,  these  prin- 
ciples are  illustrated  by  practical  problems  and  examples. 
90  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth. Net,  $0.50 

cn 


Profitable  Stock  Raising 

By  CLARENCE  A.  SHAMEL.  This  book  covers  fully  the 
principles  of  breeding  and  feeding  for  both  fat  stock  and 
dairying  type.  It  tells  of  sheep  and  mutton  raising,  hot 
Kouse  lambs,  the  swine  industry  and  the  horse  market. 
Finally,  he  tells  of  the  preparation  of  stock  for  the  market 
and  how  to  prepare  it  so  that  it  will  bring  a  high  market 
price.  Live  stock  is  the  most  important  feature  of  farm 
life,  and  statistics  show  a  production  far  short  of  the 
actual  requirements.  There  are  many  problems  to  be 
faced  in  the  profitable  production  of  stock,  and  these  are 
fully  and  comprehensively  covered  in  Mr.  Shamel's  new 
book.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  288  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.50 

The  Business  of  Dairying 

By  C.  B.  LANE.  The  author  of  this  practical  little  book 
is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  successful  manner  in  which 
he  has  treated  so  important  a  subject.  It  has  been  pre- 
pared for  the  use  of  dairy  students,  producers  and  handlers 
of  milk,  and  all  who  make  dairying  a  business.  Its  pur- 
pose is  to  present  in  a  clear  and  concise  manner  various 
business  methods  and  systems  which  will  help  the  dairy- 
man to  reap  greater  profits.  This  book  meets  the  needs 
of  the  average  dairy  farmer,  and  if  carefully  followed  will 
lead  to  successful  dairying.  It  may  also  be  used  as  an 
elementary  textbook  for  colleges,  and  especially  in  short- 
course  classes.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  300  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $1.25 

Questions  and  Answers  on  Buttermaking 

By  CHAS  A.  PUBLOW.  This  book  is  entirely  different 
from  the  usual  type  of  dairy  books,  and  is  undoubtedly  in 
a  class  by  itself.  The  entire  subject  of  butter-making  in 
all  its  branches  has  been  most,  thoroughly  treated,  and 
many  new  and  important  features  have  been  added.  The 
tests  for  moisture,  salt  and  acid  have  received  special 
attention,  as  have  also  the  questions  on  cream  separa-r 
tion,  pasteurization,  commercial  starters,  crearn  ripening% 
cream  overrun,  marketing  of  butter,  and  creamery  man^. 
agement.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  100  pages.  Cloth. 

Net,  $0.50 

Questions  and  Answers  on  Milk  and  Milk  Testing 

By  CHAS.  A.  PUBLOW,  and  HUGH  C.  TROY.  A  book  that 
no  student  in  the  dairy  industry  can  afford  to  be  without. 
No  other  treatise  of  its  kind  is  available,  and  no  book  of 
its  size  gives  so  much  practical  and  useful  information  in 
the  study  of  milk  and  milk  products.  Illustrated.  5x7 
inches.  100  pages.  Cloth.  .«..•...  Net,  $0.50 

(3) 


Soils 

By  CHARLES  WILLIAM  BURKETT,  Director  Kansas  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station.  The  most  complete  and 
popular  work  of  the  kind  ever  published.  As  a  rule,  a 
book  of  this  sort  is  dry  and  uninteresting,  but  in  this  case 
it  reads  like  a  novel.  The  author  has  put  into  it  his  in- 
dividuality. The  story  of  the  properties  of  the  soils,  their 
improvement  and  management,  as  well  as  a  discussion  of 
the  problems  of  crop  growing  and  crop  feeding,  make  this 
book  equally  valuable  to  the  farmer,  student  and  teacher. 
Illustrated.  303  pages.  5^x8  inches.  Cloth.  .  Net,  $1.25 

Weeds  of  the  Farm  Garden 

By  L.  H.  PAMMEL.  The  enormous  losses,  amounting 
to  several  hundred  million  dollars  annually  in  the  United 
States,  caused  by  weeds  stimulate  us  to  adopt  a  better 
system  of  agriculture.  The  weed  question  is,  therefore 
a  most  important  and  vital  one  for  American  farmer* 
This  treatise  will  enable  the  farmer  to  treat  his  field  to 
remove  weeds.  The  book  is  profusely  illustrated  by  photo- 
graphs and  drawings  made  expressly  for  this  work,  and 
will  prove  invaluable  to  every  farmer,  land  owner,  gar- 
dener and  park  superintendent.  5x7  inches.  300  pages. 
Cloth Net,  $1.50 

Farm  Machinery  and  Farm  Motors 

By  J.  B.  DAVIDSON  and  L.  W.  CHASE.  Farm  Machinery 
and  Farm  Motors  is  the  first  American  book  published 
on  the  subject  of  Farm  Machinery  since  that  written  by 
J.  J.  Thomas  in  1867.  This  was  before  the  development 
of  many  of  the  more  important  farm  machines,  and  the 
general  application  of  power  to  the  work  of  the  farm. 
Modern  farm  machinery  is  indispensable  in  present-day 
farming  operations,  and  a  practical  book  like  Farm  Ma- 
chinery and  Farm  Motors  will  fill  a  much-felt  need.  The 
book  has  been  written  from  lectures  used  by  the  authors 
before  their  classes  for  several  years,  and  which  were  pre- 
pared from  practical  experience  and  a  thorough  review  of 
the  literature  pertaining  to  the  subject.  Although  written 
}  primarily  as  a  text-book,  it  is  equally  useful  for  the  prac- 
jtical  farmer.  Profusely  illustrated.  5^x8  inches.  520 
pages.  Cloth Net,  $2.00 

The  Book  of  Wheat 

j  By  P.  T.  DONDLINGER.  This  book  comprises  a  complete 
study  of  everything  pertaining  to  wheat.  It  is  the  work 
of  a  student  of  economic  as  well  as  agricultural  condi- 
tions, well  fitted  by  the  broad  experience  in  both  practical 
and  theoretical  lines  to  tell  the  whole  story  in  a  condensed 
form.  It  is  designed  for  the  farmer,  the  teacher,  and  the 
student  as  well.  Illustrated.  5>lx8  inches.  370  pages. 
Cloth.  ...  »_-••..  Net,  $2.00 

(4) 


The  Cereals  in  America 

By  THOMAS  F.  HUNT,  M.S.,  D.Agri.,  Professor  of  Agron- 
omy, Cornell  University.  If  you  raise  five  acres  of  any  kind 
of  grain  you  cannot  afford  to  be  without  this  book.  It  is  in 
every  way  the  best  book  on  the  subject  that  has  ever  been 
written.  It  treats  of  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  every 
grain  crop  raised  in  America  in  a  thoroughly  practical  and 
accurate  manner.  The  subject-matter  includes  a  comprehen- 
sive and  succinct  treatise  of  wheat,  maize,  oats,  barley,  rye, 
rice,  sorghum  (kafir  corn)  and  buckwheat,  as  related  particu- 
larly to  American  conditions.  First-hand  knowledge  has  been 
the  policy  of  the  author  in  his  work,  and  every  crop  treated  is 
presented  in  the  light  of  individual  study  of  the  plant.  If  you 
have  this  book  you  have  the  latest  and  best  that  has  been 
written  upon  the  subject.  Illustrated.  450  pages.  5^x8 
inches.  Cloth $i-75 

The  Forage  and  Fiber  Crops  in  America 

By  THOMAS  F.  HUNT.  This  book  is  exactly  what  its  title 
indicates.  It  is  indispensable  to  the  farmer,  student  and 
teacher  who  wishes  all  the  latest  and  most  important  informa- 
tion on  the  subject  of  forage  and  fiber  crops.  Like  its  famous 
companion,  "The  Cereals  in  America,"  by  the  same  author,  it 
treats  of  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  every  one  of  the 
forage  and  fiber  crops.  With  this  book  in  hand,  you  have 
the  latest  and  most  up-to-date  information  available.  Illus- 
trated. 428  pages.  5^x8  inches.  Cloth $i-75 

The  Book  of  Alfalfa 

History,  Cultivation  and  Merits.  Its  Uses  as  a  Forage 
and  Fertilizer.  The  appearance  of  the  Hon.  F.  D.  COBURN'S 
little  book  on  Alfalfa  a  few  years  ago  has  been  a  profit  revela- 
tion to  thousands  of  farmers  throughout  the  country,  and  the 
increasing  demand  for  still  more  information  on  the  subject 
has  induced  the  author  to  prepare  the  present  volume,  which 
is  by  far  the  most  authoritative,  complete  and  valuable  work 
on  this  forage  crop  published  anywhere.  It  is  printed  on  fine 
paper  and  illustrated  with  many  full-page  photographs  that 

,were  taken  with  the  especial  view  of  their  relation  to  the  text. 

<336  pages.  6^  x  9  inches.  Bound  in  cloth,  with  gold  stamp- 
ing. It  is  unquestionably  the  handsomest  agricultural  refer- 
ence book  that  has  ever  been  issued.  Price,  postpaid,  .  $2.00 

Clean  Milk 

By  S.  D.  BELCHER,  M.D.  In  this  book  the  author  sets  forth 
practical  methods  for  the  exclusion  of  bacteria  from  milk, 
and  how  to  prevent  contamination  of  milk  from  the  stable 
to  the  consumer.  Illustrated.  5x7  inches.  146  pages. 
Cloth $1.00 

(5) 


Bean  Culture 

By  GLENN  C.  SEVEY,  B.S.  A  practical  treatise  on  the  pro 
duction  and  marketing  of  beans.  It  includes  the  manner  oi 
growth,  soils  and  fertilizers  adapted,  best  varieties,  seed  selec- 
tion and  breeding,  planting,  harvesting,  insects  and  fungous 
pests,  composition  and- feeding  value;  with  a  special  chapter 
on  markets  by  Albert  W.  Fulton.  A  practical  book  for  the 
grower  and  student  alike.  Illustrated.  144  pages.  5x7 
inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Celery  Culture 

By  W.  R.  BEATTIE.  A  practical  guide  for  beginners  and  a 
standard  reference  of  great  interest  to  persons  already  en- 
gaged in  celery  growing.  It  contains  many  illustrations  giving 
a  clear  conception  of  the  practical  side  of  celery  culture.  The 
work  is  complete  in  every  detail,  from  sowing  a  few  seeds  in 
a  window-box  in  the  house  for  early  plants,  to  the  handling 
and  marketing  of  celery  in  carload  lots.  Fully  illustrated. 
150  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth $0.50 

Tomato  Culture 

By  WILL  W.  TRACY.  The  author  has  rounded  up  in  this 
book  the  most  complete  account  of  tomato  culture  in  all  its 
phases  that  has  ever  been  gotten  together.  It  is  no  second- 
hand work  of  reference,  but  a  complete  story  of  the  practice  ' 
experiences  of  the  best-posted  expert  on  tomatoes  in  the 
world.  No  gardener  or  farmer  can  afford  to  be  without  the 
book.  Whether  grown  for  home  use  or  commercial  purposes, 
the  reader  has  here  suggestions  and  information  nowhere  else 
available.  Illustrated.  150  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth.  $0.50 

The  Potato 

By  SAMUEL  FRASER.  This  book  is  destined  to  rank  as  a 
standard  work  upon  Potato  Culture.  While  the  practical  side 
has  been  emphasized,  the  scientific  part  has  not  been  neglected, 
and  the  information  given  is  of  value,  both  to  the  grower  and 
to  the  student.  Taken  all  in  all,  it  is  the  most  complete,  reliable 
and  authoritative  book  on  the  potato  ever  published  in  Amer- 
ica. Illustrated.  200  pages.  5x7  inches.  Cloth.  .  .  $0.75 

Dwarf  Fruit  Trees 

By  F.  A.  WAUGH.  This  interesting  book  describes  in  detail 
the  several  varieties  of  dwarf  fruit  trees,  their  propagation, 
planting,  pruning,  care  and  general  management.  Where 
there  is  a  limited  amount  of  ground  to  be  devoted  to  orchard 
purposes,  and  where  quick  results  are  desired,  this  book  will 
meet  with  a  warm  welcome.  Illustrated.  112  pages.  5  x  7 
inches.  Cloth $0.50 

(6) 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

Books  not  returned  on  time  are  subject  to  a  fine  of 
50c  per  volume  after  the  third  day  overdue,  increasing 
to  $1.00  per  volume  after  the  sixth  day.  Books  not  in 
demand  may  be  renewed  if  application  is  made  before 
expiration  of  loan  period. 


AU6  3  1918 
DEC    3111736 


OKI 


50m-7,'16 


/?-*•* 


,YB  48502 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


ill 


